Source: Tibrina Hobson / Getty
If you’re a fan of The League, a television series covering the fictional lives of fantasy football fanatics, then you may be familiar with Steve Rannazzisi.
The 37-year-old comedian is coming under some serious fire, as he has admitted to fabricating a story about escaping death during the terrorist attacks in New York City on September 11, 2001.
In 2009, Rannazzisi claimed in an interview that he was in the South Tower of the World Trade Center, working a desk job for Merrill Lynch on the 54th floor.
He claims to have seen the first plane hit one of the towers, describing the chaos that ensued following.
It turns out that not only was Rannazzisi not ever an employee of the company in their records, according to NY Times, but the Merrill Lynch did not have any offices in either of the buildings.
This week, Rannazzisi came clean about the whole story, admitting that it was a lie. He was working at an office in Manhattan on that tragic day, but in midtown, rather than near the towers.
As a young man, I made a mistake that I deeply regret and for which apologies may still not be enough.
— Stephen Rannazzisi (@SteveRannazzisi) September 16, 2015
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After I moved with my wife to Los Angeles from New York City in 2001 shortly after 9/11, I told people that I was in one of the World Trade
— Stephen Rannazzisi (@SteveRannazzisi) September 16, 2015
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Center towers on 9/11. It wasn’t true. I was in Manhattan but working in a building in midtown and I was not at the Trade Center on that day
— Stephen Rannazzisi (@SteveRannazzisi) September 16, 2015
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Center towers on 9/11. It wasn’t true. I was in Manhattan but working in a building in midtown and I was not at the Trade Center on that day
— Stephen Rannazzisi (@SteveRannazzisi) September 16, 2015
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I don’t know why I said this. This was inexcusable. I am truly, truly sorry. For many years, more than anything, I have wished that, with
— Stephen Rannazzisi (@SteveRannazzisi) September 16, 2015
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silence, I could somehow erase a story told by an immature young man.It only made me more ashamed. How could I tell my children to be honest
— Stephen Rannazzisi (@SteveRannazzisi) September 16, 2015
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when I hadn’t come clean about this?
— Stephen Rannazzisi (@SteveRannazzisi) September 16, 2015
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it is to the victims of 9/11 and to the people that love them–and the people that love me–that I ask for forgiveness.
— Stephen Rannazzisi (@SteveRannazzisi) September 16, 2015
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It was profoundly disrespectful to those who perished and those who lost loved ones. The stupidity and guilt I have felt for many years has
— Stephen Rannazzisi (@SteveRannazzisi) September 16, 2015
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not abated. It was an early taste of having a public persona, and I made a terrible mistake.
— Stephen Rannazzisi (@SteveRannazzisi) September 16, 2015
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Meanwhile, comedian Pete Davidson, who lost his father in the 9/11 attacks, responded in support of Rannazzisi’s confession.
It’s ok @SteveRannazzisi people make mistakes … Can’t wait to meet my dad for lunch later
— Pete Davidson (@petedavidson) September 16, 2015
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All kidding aside this @SteveRannazzisi story sucks because he’s actually a funny comic and I love The League. It’s fucked up
— Pete Davidson (@petedavidson) September 16, 2015
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Take it easy on @SteveRannazzisi … He reached out to me and is truly sorry. We all sometimes lie and exaggerate a story to seem cooler …
— Pete Davidson (@petedavidson) September 16, 2015
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..Unfortunately this is a very touchy topic n very near n dear 2 peoples hearts.Its years later but he apologized n owned up 2 it like a man
— Pete Davidson (@petedavidson) September 16, 2015
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What do you think of Rannazzisi’s confession?
