Shaun White apologizes over Halloween costume
FOX NEWS - Three-time Olympic gold medalist Shaun White apologized on Tuesday to Special Olympians over his decision to post a picture of himself dressed up for Halloween as the character 'Simple Jack' from the 2008 movie 'Tropic Thunder.'
'Simple Jack' was a mentally challenged, fictional character in 'Tropic Thunder' played by one of the film's characters, actor Tugg Speedman, in an effort to capture an Oscar. Speedman was portrayed in the movie by real-life actor Ben Stiller.
White, 32, faced social media backlash and posted his apology on Twitter. He called the selection a poor choice.
"It was a last minute decision," he posted. "It was the wrong one. The Special Olympics were right to call me out on it. They do great work supporting so many tremendous athletes and I am sorry for being insensitive. Lesson learned."
A spokesman for the Special Olympics told TMZ in a statement that the organization was disappointed that White would choose the outfit that "causes so much pain."