NBA phenom Jeremy Lin isn't holding any grudges against ESPN or the editor who was let go after writing what many considered a racist remark about him.

"You have to learn to forgive, and I don't even think that was intentional," Lin told reporters yesterday regarding the headline "Chink in the Armor" that was published over the weekend.

The phrase was part of a headline topping a story on the New York Knicks' loss to the New Orleans Hornets Friday night, posted early Saturday morning on ESPN's mobile website. The sports network quickly pulled the headline, apologized to Lin for the "offensive and inappropriate comments," and fired editor Anthony Federico. ESPNews anchor Max Bretos got a 30-day suspension for using the same phrase on the air.

"I'm so sorry if I offended Jeremy," Federico told the New York Daily News yesterday.

Federico told the paper that he has used the popular phrase "at least 100 times" in headlines over the years and didn't think anything of it when using it this time. Federico said the interpretation of the headline as a racial slur never crossed his mind and that he greatly admires Lin.

"I'm devastated that I caused a firestorm," Federico said.

Bretos has apologized as well, also saying the racial aspect of the phrase didn't even occur to him. Earlier in the week, Bretos had said, "If there is a chink in the armor, where can he improve his game?"

In its statement of apology, ESPN went on to say that Lin's accomplishments "are a source of great pride to the Asian-American community, including the Asian-American employees at ESPN."

Lin, described by Sports Illustrated as "the biggest overnight sensation the game has ever seen," is the first American player of Chinese or Taiwanese descent to play in the NBA.

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