ORLANDO (970 WFLA) -- Legendary football coach Lou Holtz is suing the Daily Beast news site for defamation, in Orlando federal court. Holtz claims they mis-reported his comments to a luncheon in Cleveland last year.
The former Notre Dame and South Carolina coach currently makes his living by delivering speeches around the country. He made one such speech to a conservative group holding a luncheon in Cleveland during the Republican National Convention last year. Holtz claims the Daily Beast and reporter Betsy Woodruff posted an article with a headline saying Holtz called immigrants "deadbeats." Holtz says he was referring to his own background as the grandson of Ukrainian immigrants and the article wrongly juxtaposed comments elsewhere in the speech.
That headline was later altered after he complained, but was changed to read "Holtz Goes On Immigrant Bashing RNC Rant," according to the lawsuit.
Holtz says there were two other articles he considers defamatory. A story from May 2016 was headlined "Shouty Old White Coaches Heart Donald Trump."
Holtz claims he's lost speaking engagements and money because of the Beast's articles.
Holtz wants an injunction and an order requiring the Daily Beast to remove the story.
We've reached out to the Daily Beast for reaction.
Photo credit Getty Images