The 9-year-old football fan who caused waves of controversy just appeared on Fox News with his parents.
Bubba Armenta and his son Holden, 9, speak out against ‘blackface’ accusations on Fox News because the youngster painted his face black and red while wearing a native headdress to a football game. The picture of the boy was taken on Sunday at the Chiefs-Raiders game in Las Vegas.
Holden Armenta’s mother posted on Facebook that her son is actually Native American himself as well as his grandfather who is serving on the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.
“It’s been a pretty crazy couple of days,” the father said. “I was mad, upset, upset for [Holden]. I’m mad that he’s upset. He’s pretty devastated. … It was his dream to get on the Jumbotron. And I’ve had family and friends call and say, ‘Oh, we saw you on Sunday Night Football.’ So he’s excited. But then everything else came up and it’s been a little bit of a spiral.”
Holden stated that his outfit has been a topic of conversation at school.
“It’s okay because a lot of kids at school are getting excited,” Holden said. “But it’s starting to get me a little nervous because if they go a little bit overboard, it’s a little scary.”
Bubba was not interested in in receiving an apology from Deadspin who created so much backlash with their article.
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“I don’t even know what to think about [apologizing]. It’s kind of a little too late for that,” Bubba said.
“The damage is already done. It’s worldwide. Now, there’s comments all over. There’s, you know, disrespect towards Native Americans and towards my family. We never in any way, shape, or form meant to disrespect any Native Americans or any tribes.
“The tribe we’re from doesn’t even wear that type of headdress.
“It’s a costume piece. That’s exactly what we had purchased it for and wore it for. Not in any disrespect towards any Native Americans at all. It’s just it’s been a whirlwind of comments coming from other tribes or members. Some think it’s okay. Some think it’s not okay.
“It’s a nine-year-old boy supporting his team.”
Bubba Armenta says he’s gotten comments from native Americans for and against his son’s outfit.
Some Chiefs fans have said they will paint their faces at the next Chiefs game in support of Holden.
In 2020, the Washington Redskins finally were forced to drop their nickname, which was started in 1933, and change it to the Washington Commanders. The change came after Native American groups complained for years that the Redskins name was racist and sponsors put on the pressure.
