YORK, Pa. — A York County restaurant owner issued a public apology on Wednesday for racist remarks he made in a recent viral social media video.
The video, posted on X (formerly Twitter), depicts Spanos repeatedly yelling racial slurs and saying, "I am a racist."
“I am the individual who was recorded using racist language in a recently released video," Jonathan Spanos said.
Spanos, owner of The Paddock on Market in Springettsbury Township, was joined by Pastor Bill Kerney, President of the Black Ministers Association of York County, Dr. Sherry Washington, incoming president of the York County branch of the NAACP, and Dr. Larry Walthour, Pastor and member of the Confronting Racism Coalition of York.
“By no means does our presence at this conference signify all is well because all is not well," said Dr. Sherry Washington, incoming president of the York County NAACP.
“The Confronting Racism Coalition recognizes Mr. Spanos’s apology and ownership of those actions as important first steps on the long journey in this community towards healing, equity, inclusion, and reconciliation," added Dr. Larry Walthour of the Confronting Racism Coalition.
Spanos is a former member of Penn State York Advisory Board. His public apology comes after he resigned from that position.
The university released the following statement condemning the video:
"This hateful language has no place in our community and is not reflective of the University’s values or our desire to foster an inclusive environment. The appropriate offices at Penn State have been notified and we are looking into this matter with urgency."
Spanos said Wednesday the video captured a "heated family confrontation" and he was wrong for responding with hateful language.
“Due to the video's wide distribution, I hope this confession and plea for forgiveness are also far-reaching," he said.
You can watch Spanos' apology in our video above.
He and others did not take questions following the press conference.
Watch the full press conference below: