Rick Sanchez

Not to be confused with Ricky Sánchez.
For the Rick and Morty character, see Rick Sanchez.
Rick Sanchez

Sanchez at Jeff Pulver's 140 Characters Conference – June 2009
Born Ricardo Sánchez
(1958-07-03) July 3, 1958
Guanabacoa, Cuba
Occupation anchor/correspondent
Religion Roman Catholic
Spouse(s) Suzanne
Children 4
Website Official website of Rick Sanchez

Ricardo "Rick" Sánchez (born July 2, 1958), known professionally as Rick Sanchez, is a Cuban-American journalist, radio host, and author. He is currently a FOX News contributor, a columnist for FOX News Latino,[1] and a correspondent for Spanish language network Mundo Fox.

After years as the lead local anchor on Miami's WSVN, Sanchez moved to cable news, first as a daytime anchor at MSNBC and then later at CNN, where he began as a correspondent and ultimately rose to become an anchor. On CNN, he hosted his own show Rick's List and served as a contributor to Anderson Cooper 360° and CNN International, where he frequently reported and translated between English and Spanish. Sanchez was fired from CNN on October 1, 2010, following controversial remarks he made on a radio program.[2] In July 2011, Sanchez was hired by Florida International University, to serve as a color commentator for radio broadcasts of the school's football team.[3]

Career

Sanchez representing CNN at the 140 Characters Conference in 2009

Sanchez began his broadcasting career at WCCO's satellite sister station KCMT (now KCCO-TV) in Alexandria, Minnesota, while still in college. He was hired at WSVN (formerly WCKT) in Miami in 1982 and became a weekend anchor shortly thereafter. He worked briefly for KHOU in Houston[4] before returning to an afternoon anchor position with WSVN.[5] Sanchez was hired at MSNBC in 2001.[6]

In 2003, Sanchez left MSNBC to return to the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale TV market, where he hosted a local talk show on WTVJ. Sanchez later anchored on then-WB affiliated WBZL (now WSFL) until he joined CNN in 2004. He won an Emmy Award in 1983 for his series titled When I left Cuba.[7]

Sanchez joined CNN in September 2004, reported from around the US and the world. For eight months, in the interim between Paula Zahn and Campbell Brown, he anchored Out in the Open at 8 p.m ET. On January 18, 2010 he began hosting his own two-hour show in the afternoons, Rick's List, where he invited viewers to share their opinions and questions via social media. His use of social networking tools to create a citizen-driven news program was recognized by the Newseum in Washington, D.C. and has generated mostly positive feedback.[8] After the cancellation of Campbell Brown's show, Sanchez again took over the 8 p.m. EST slot with an evening version of Rick's List, which continued until the premier of Parker Spitzer.

Firing from CNN

On September 30, 2010, Sanchez was interviewed on Sirius XM's radio show Stand Up With Pete Dominick. Sanchez's interview occurred on the final day of his show in the 8 p.m. time slot and he was reportedly angry about being replaced by CNN's new Parker Spitzer talk show[9][10] as well as the occasional jokes made at his expense on The Daily Show. Sanchez called Daily Show host Jon Stewart a "bigot"; after questioning, Sanchez backed down from using the term and referred to Stewart as "prejudicial" and "uninformed".[11] When queried on the issue of whether Stewart likewise belonged to a minority group on account of his Jewish faith, Sanchez responded,

“ Yeah, very powerless people. [laughs] He's such a minority. I mean, you know, please. What—are you kidding? I'm telling you that everybody who runs CNN is a lot like Stewart, and a lot of people who run all the other networks are a lot like Stewart. And to imply that somehow they, the people in this country who are Jewish, are an oppressed minority?[9][10] ”

A day after his remarks,[12] CNN announced that Sanchez was no longer employed with the company.[9]

Some believed that Sanchez's departure was motivated by other reasons. CNN president Jonathan Klein, who was a supporter of Sanchez and had given him increased air time,[13] was fired just one week before Sanchez, leading some to believe that Sanchez's firing may have been motivated by other reasons in addition to the comments.[14] New York Magazine wrote, "The rumor that Sanchez was already on his way out in the wake of former CNN president Jonathan Klein's ouster from the company has been circling the Sanchez story."[15]

During his time at CNN, Sanchez once called President Barack Obama a "cotton-picking president", a remark for which he apologized, explaining that he had grown up in the South where the phrase was a colloquialism. He had also attributed unconfirmed quotes to Rush Limbaugh, for which he also later apologized.[16]

Despite his firing, upon leaving CNN, Sanchez said, "... I want to go on record to say that I have nothing but the highest regard for CNN and for my six wonderful years with them. I appreciate every opportunity that they have given me, and it has been a wonderful experience working for them."[17]

Apology for comments

In the days after the incident, Sanchez apologized several times. In an appearance on Good Morning America, Sanchez told George Stephanopoulos, "I said some things I shouldn't have said. They were wrong. Not only were they wrong, they were offensive." He added, "... I apologize and it was wrong for me to be so careless and so inartful. ... But it happened and I can’t take it back and, you know what, now I have to stand up and be responsible."[18]

Sanchez also called and personally apologized to Stewart. He released a statement expressing regret for his "inartful" comments, adding "I am very much opposed to hate and intolerance, in any form, and I have frequently spoken out against prejudice."[17][19] On October 20, 2010, Jon Stewart told Larry King that Sanchez should not have been fired for what Sanchez said in the radio interview; Stewart called the firing "absolute insanity",[20] and stating that he was not "personally hurt".[21]

In a letter to Abraham Foxman—the head of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL)—Sanchez apologized once again, writing, "... [T]here are no words strong enough for me to express my regret and sorrow over what I said. It was offensive, and I deeply, sincerely and unequivocally apologize for the hurt that I have caused. I tell my children that when they make a mistake, they should take responsibility, atone and work to repair whatever they have done. ... I cannot undo the offense or controversy I caused; all I can do is to try and learn from this experience and strive to become a better person."[22]

Sanchez and Abraham H. Foxman at a Yankee Game together on May 11, 2011

Following a meeting with Foxman, Foxman said Sanchez can now "put the matter to rest", adding that he hoped Sanchez can now move on with his life and work.[23]

Jewish outreach

In late 2010, Orthodox Rabbi Shmuley Boteach held a public event at Manhattan's Carlebach Synagogue with Sanchez, and commented, "Our community has enough problems without looking for anti-Semitism where it doesn't exist. Rick Sanchez was humiliated and his reputation dragged through the mud. ... The Jewish religion says that a man's most cherished possession is his good name. Rick deserves the opportunity to reclaim his." Sanchez and Rabbi Boteach spoke for nearly two hours.[24][25][26]

In 2011, Sanchez visited Israel as part of an ADL-sponsored trip for Latino journalists.[27] Sanchez spoke at the ADL's National Executive Committee Meeting in 2012,[27] where Sanchez recounted, "the long and unexpected voyage ... [and] personal journey that led me to a man I now call a friend: Abe Foxman, who has led me to know myself and led me to grow in unexpected ways."[28]

Football announcer

On July 27, 2011, the AP reported that Rick Sanchez had started a job as a radio announcer for Florida International University. Starting in September 2011, Sanchez provided analysis of the FIU football team.[29]

Return to cable news

Rick Sanchez returned to cable news as a columnist on Fox News Latino in September 2012. Sanchez was offered a short term employment with the website.[1] Since joining Fox News Latino, he has appeared on the Fox News Channel as a contributor.[30] He also started as a news contributor for MundoFox at the end of 2012.[31]

Radio

In 2013, Sanchez returned to South Florida with a weekday show on Clear Channel affiliate WIOD 610 AM radio. Replacing Todd Schnitt in afternoon drive time, Sanchez did a stint on a morning show, that led into the Rush Limbaugh Show. Due to low ratings, Rick is no longer on the radio, as of October 2015.

Personal life

Sanchez was born in Guanabacoa, Cuba, a township of Havana, and emigrated to the United States with his parents at the age of two.[7] He grew up in Hialeah, Florida, a suburb of Miami, and attended Mae M. Walters Elementary School, Henry H. Filer Middle School, and Hialeah High School, graduating in 1977. Sanchez accepted a football scholarship to Minnesota State University Moorhead and transferred to the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis on a CBS/WCCO Journalism Scholarship in 1979.[32]

Of his childhood Sanchez has said, "I grew up not speaking English, dealing with real prejudice every day as a kid; watching my dad work in a factory, wash dishes, drive a truck, get spit on. I've been told that I can't do certain things in life simply because I was a Hispanic."[33] He prefers to be called Rick Sanchez rather than use his birth name because, as he said in a newscast in 2009, "...I want to be respectful of this wonderful country that allowed us as Hispanics to come here, and I think it's easier if someone's able to understand me by Anglicizing my name."[34]

Sanchez and his wife, Suzanne, have three sons and one daughter: Ricky Jr.; Robby; Remmington; and Savannah.[32]

References

  1. 1 2 "Rick Sanchez Returns... On Fox News Latino". TV Newser. 2012-09-25.
  2. ↑ "Rick Sanchez: Jon Stewart A 'Bigot', Jews Run CNN & All Media". Huffington Post. 2010-10-01.
  3. ↑ Neal, David J. (July 27, 2011). "Rick Sanchez's next gig: FIU football announcer". The Miami Herald.
  4. ↑ Cook, Ruth (November 24, 1986). "Magazine article on Rick Sanchez misses the mark". The Miami News. Retrieved 1 October 2010.
  5. ↑ Jicha, Tom (October 18, 2009). "5Qs: Rick Sanchez, always in the news". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved 1 October 2010.
  6. ↑ Eggerton, John (April 11, 2001). "MSNBC signs Sanchez". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved 1 October 2010.
  7. 1 2 "Anchors & Reporters: Rick Sanchez". CNN. Archived from the original on September 21, 2010. Retrieved 1 October 2010.
  8. ↑ Rick Sanchez Blog Profile Archived January 24, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
  9. 1 2 3 Madison, Lucy (1 October 2010). "Rick Sanchez Out at CNN After Saying Jon Stewart a Bigot, Suggesting Network is Run by Jews". CBS News.
  10. 1 2 Walker, Hunter (1 October 2010). "CNN anchor fired after Jon Stewart rant". MSNBC. Retrieved 1 October 2010.
  11. ↑ Steve Krakauer (October 1, 2010). "Rick Sanchez Calls Jon Stewart "A Bigot"; Says CNN Is Run By Jews". Mediaite. Retrieved October 1, 2010.
  12. ↑ "CNN's Sanchez fired after calling Stewart a bigot". Associated Press. 1 October 2010. Retrieved 2 October 2010.
  13. ↑ Stelter, Brian (October 1, 2010). "CNN Fires Rick Sanchez for Remarks in Interview". New York Times. Retrieved October 1, 2010.
  14. ↑ Pazienza, Chaz (October 5, 2010). "Some Rick Sanchez Insights From A Former CNN Producer". Retrieved June 9, 2012.
  15. ↑ Tiku, Nitasha (October 6, 2010). "Rick Sanchez Apologizes, But Fox News And MSNBC Are Still 'Not Interested'". Retrieved June 9, 2012.
  16. ↑ Maerz, Melissa "CNN's Rick Sanchez fired after calling Jon Stewart a bigot" (October 2, 2010) Los Angeles Times
  17. 1 2 Melissa Bell, Rick Sanchez's apology transcript for 'inartful comments', Washington Post, October 6, 2010.
  18. ↑ Kate McCarthy (October 8, 2010). "Rick Sanchez on 'GMA': Jon Stewart 'Classiest Guy in the World,' 'I Screwed Up'". ABC News.
  19. ↑ David S. Morgan, Rick Sanchez: Jon Stewart Is "Classiest Guy in the World", CBS, October 8, 2010.
  20. ↑ Posted on 10/22/10 at 10:27am Juan Williams fired, Rick Sanchez fired: National Public Radio (NPR) and CNN face public backlash for respective actions, Comtex News, October 22, 2010.
  21. ↑ Jon Stewart Tells Larry King CNN Shouldn't Have Fired Rick Sanchez, Mediaite.com, October 21, 2010.
  22. ↑ Rick's Letter to Abe Foxman of the ADL
  23. ↑ Ron Kampeas (March 16, 2011). "Foxman: Sanchez can put controversy 'to rest'". Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
  24. ↑ Boteach, Shmuley (January 17, 2011). "Shmuley and Rick in a Public Discussion". Shmuley Boteach.
  25. ↑ Mark Joyella (January 3, 2011). "Ex-CNN Anchor Rick Sanchez Has "Friends," Would Very Much Like New Gig In 2011". Mediaite.
  26. ↑ Glynnis MacNicol (January 14, 2011). "RICK SANCHEZ: I Didn't Even Know Jon Stewart Was Jewish". Business Insider.
  27. 1 2 "Jewish Security In America; The Iranian Threat To Israel; And Religious Freedom In America Discussed at ADL National Meeting in Palm Beach, FL". adl.org.
  28. ↑ "My Remarks to the ADL’s National Executive Committee". Rick Sanchez. February 12, 2012.
  29. ↑ Emily Yahr (July 28, 2011). "Former CNN anchor Rick Sanchez lands job as football announcer". Washington Post.
  30. ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQW3NEfPA9w&feature=g-u-u
  31. ↑ Tanzina Vega (November 13, 2012) Rick Sanchez to Join News Team at MundoFox New York Times. Retrieved December 14, 2013
  32. 1 2 "Getting To Know....Rick Sanchez". All Things CNN. March 12, 2008. Retrieved 1 October 2010.
  33. ↑ Stand Up With Pete Dominick.com.
  34. ↑ CNN Newsroom, October 26, 2009

External links

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