Buffalo Wild Wings pulls commercials after comic actor’s 9/11 lie

Sally Smith, CEO of Buffalo Wild Wings, had said Wednesday in an interview with Yahoo Finance that Rannazzisi was selected for the company’s marketing because “The League” fit with its image.

A sports bar franchise has halted TV commercials featuring a United States comedian and actor after he admitted lying about narrowly escaping the World Trade Center on 9/11. Network officials have said Rannazzisi will remain on the show.

It’s unclear how the brand will replace the current campaign, but it’s likely Buffalo Wild Wings will tap TBWAChiatDay L.A. for a new campaign or use something already in its inventory. It provides many different sauces and seasonings, which include Spicy Garlic Sweet BBQ, Teriyaki, Light, Moderate, Honey BBQ, Buffalo, Desert Heat, Chipotle BBQ, Lemon Pepper and Salt & Vinegar, among others.

Rannazzisi has told the story a number of times, claiming his brush with death inspired him to quit his desk job and follow his dream of becoming an entertainer.

He said on Twitter on Wednesday that he began telling people he was in the World Trade Center on 9/11 shortly after moving with his wife from New York to Los Angeles, following the terrorist attacks.

“I don’t know why I said this”, he tweeted.

“Upon careful review, we have chose to discontinue airing our current television commercials featuring Steve Rannazzisi“, the company said Thursday in a statement. “That was inexcusable. I am truly, truly sorry”.

But now it’s having an effect on one of his business dealings.

Davidson’s father was a New York City firefighter and first responder who died in the attacks on September 11, 2001. “How could I tell my children to be honest when I hadn’t come clean about this?”

Rannazzisi also appears as a character in the 20th Century Fox-produced television show The League.