The Deadspin Blackface Chiefs Fan controversy began in November 2023 when the outlet published an article by Carron J. Phillips accusing a young Kansas City Chiefs fan of wearing blackface. The article utilized a side-profile photo showing only the black paint on the child's face. However, it was quickly revealed that the fan, Holden Armenta, was wearing half-black and half-red paint to match team colors and is of Native American heritage. The incident sparked massive internet backlash against Deadspin for perceived journalistic malpractice and race-baiting, eventually resulting in a defamation lawsuit. Memes surrounding the event typically focus on the contrast between the media's narrative and the actual reality of the situation, often using side-by-side comparisons of the photos.