CHICAGO _ ESPN's "Around the Horn" host Tony Reali coined a phrase for a lack of accuracy near the end of Monday's show, but felt guilty soon after and apologized to Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky.
"I didn't want to Trubisky it," Reali had cracked.
The line got a few laughs, but it's usually the panelists, not the host, who take shots on "Around the Horn," and it didn't sit well with the ostensibly neutral Reali.
Reali not only tweeted to Trubisky that he was sorry but made a donation to Thumbs Up Mission, a charity Trubisky supports that assists families dealing with cancer.
Trubisky, largely inactive on social media, has not responded.
"Hey Mitchell, Tony Reali here from ESPN," he tweeted. "I would like to apologize for a line I just had at end of AroundTheHorn about inaccurate passes. 'I didn't want to Trubisky it' was the line. It was small of me. One of those, 'what a moron I am' 2 secs after you say it moments.
"I recall you support the Thumbs Up Mission from cleats you wore for a game recently. Please know I will be paying my error & embarrassment forward in the form of a donation to them. Best to you and yours-again I am truly sorry."
The No. 2 pick in the 2017 draft whose fifth-year option was not picked by the Bears, Trubisky finished last season 28th in adjusted total quarterback rating.
Trubisky tied for 27th in touchdown passes, was 21st in passing yards, 32nd in yards gained per pass attempt and 28th in traditional quarterback rating.
This subpar performance in an 8-8 season spurred the acquisition of Nick Foles.
Reali's bit was hardly the first-ever joke about Trubisky's inaccuracy. A Chicago restauranteur _ and Trubisky fan _ took his own jab in a sign about social distancing that went viral.
"During this Coronavirus outbreak, remember to remain at least 10 feet away from others," the sign at Chip Monks in Lakeview said. "If you're wondering how far that is, picture a Bears wide receiver and then imagine where Trubisky threw the pass. That distance is about 10 feet."
Joseph Kaleel, owner of the restaurant and bar, had his own pang of regret afterward when a customer complained.
"Even if it made 99 people happy, it made one person unhappy, it's not what I want," Kaleel told the Tribune last month.
