( CNN ) -- ESPN has fired the employee responsible for writing an offensive headline about basketball sensation Jeremy Lin and suspended an anchor who used the same ethnic slur , the sports network said Sunday . The headline read `` Chink in the Armor , '' referencing the New York Knicks ' 89-85 loss Friday night to the New Orleans Hornets that ended the team 's season-high winning streak . The phrase has two meanings ; one is an ethnic slur . Lin , 23 , came off the bench earlier this month to guide the Knicks to win after improbable win . The unlikely star of Taiwanese descent quickly turned into a global brand and `` Linsanity '' became the phrase of the times . The ESPN headline Saturday morning was up for 35 minutes before being removed , but the damage was done . The network apologized Saturday and said it was `` engaged in a thorough review . '' It also apologized for a question ESPN anchor Max Bretos asked Wednesday night : `` If there is a chink in the armor , where can Lin improve his game ? '' The network said Sunday that a third reference was made on ESPN Radio New York on Friday . `` The incidents were separate and different , '' ESPN said in a statement Sunday . `` We have engaged in a thorough review of all three . '' Lin addressed the controversy during a news conference Sunday following the Knicks ' 104-97 win over the Dallas Mavericks , the defending national champions . He said he did not think the headline was intentional . `` I do n't think it was on purpose , '' Lin said . `` At the same time , they 've apologized . I do n't care anymore . '' ESPN said the writer of the headline that appeared on the network 's mobile website has been dismissed . Bretos has been suspended for 30 days . The radio commentator was not an ESPN employee . `` We again apologize , especially to Mr. Lin , '' ESPN said . `` His accomplishments are a source of great pride to the Asian-American community , including the Asian-American employees at ESPN . `` Through self-examination , improved editorial practices and controls , and response to constructive criticism , we will be better in the future , '' ESPN said .
NEW : `` I do n't think it was on purpose , '' Lin says . The headline was posted after the Knicks ' loss . The network suspended an anchor who used the phrase . It has apologized to Jeremy Lin and to the Asian -American community .