Timeline

Events leading up to the firing of Don Imus.

Wednesday, April 4

At 6:14 a.m. EDT, in a phone conversation with his former sports correspondent Sid Rosenberg, Imus insults the Rutgers University women’s basketball team. “That’s some nappy-headed hos,” he says on “Imus in the Morning.” At 6 p.m., the liberal watchdog group Media Matters for America posts a story on its website with a video clip calling attention to that and other incendiary Imus remarks.

Thursday, April 5

WNBC.com posts the video, crediting Media Matters. MSNBC, which simulcasts Imus, issues a statement distancing itself from him. The Philadelphia chapter of the National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored People calls the remarks racist and unacceptable.

Friday, April 6

The National Assn. of Black Journalists issues a news release condemning Imus’ remarks. NABJ President Bryan Monroe says: “Imus needs to be fired. Today.” Rutgers President Richard L. McCormick and National Collegiate Athletic Assn. President Myles Brand issue a joint statement denouncing Imus’ remarks, calling them “unconscionable.” Imus apologizes on his show. “It was completely inappropriate, and we can understand why people were offended,” he says. New York’s WFAN-AM, Imus’ flagship station, also apologizes, as does WFAN owner CBS Radio.

Saturday, April 7

Columnist Filip Bondy of the New York Daily News writes, “And though this never will happen in a million years, Imus should be fired for it today -- actually, yesterday.” In the Philadelphia Inquirer, Phil Sheridan says in his column: “The First Amendment protects every American’s right to freedom of speech. It doesn’t protect racists’ high-paying media jobs.” The Rev. Al Sharpton says, “I accept his apology, just as I want his bosses to accept his resignation.”

Sunday, April 8

Imus announces that he will appear Monday on Sharpton’s radio show. The Rev. Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow / PUSH coalition says it will picket the Chicago offices of MSNBC owner NBC. The National Organization for Women asks its constituents to write to WFAN, CBS Radio and MSNBC. “Tell them, ‘You don’t have to let Don Imus keep peddling racism and sexism....’ ”

Monday, April 9

On his own show, Imus says, “Here’s what I’ve learned: that you can’t make fun of everybody, because some people don’t deserve it.” Sharpton excoriates him. “What is any possible reason you could feel that this type of statement should be forgiven and overlooked?” CBS Radio and MSNBC announce they are suspending Imus for two weeks.

Tuesday, April 10

Some of Imus’ advertisers -- Procter & Gamble Co., Staples Inc. and Bigelow Tea -- say they are pulling their commercials. The Rutgers team holds a nationally televised news conference. Coach C. Vivian Stringer labels Imus’ comments “deplorable, despicable and unconscionable.” NBC weatherman Al Roker says Imus should be fired.

Wednesday, April 11

The list of canceled advertisers now includes General Motors Corp., GlaxoSmithKline, American Express Co. and Sprint Nextel Corp. A Pennsylvania radio station fires a deejay who repeats the slur. MSNBC says it is canceling its simulcast of Imus’ program. CBS board member Bruce Gordon, a former NAACP head, calls on CBS to fire Imus.

Thursday, April 12

At 4:39 p.m., CBS announces that it has fired Imus.