Jeopardy! contestant Kelly Donohue calls hand gesture controversy a "terrible misunderstanding," says he's "truly horrified" over white supremacy allegations

Variety

Donohue responded on Facebook after more than 560 former contestants signed a petition calling on Jeopardy! to take action against him over his use of a three-fingered hand sign that they allege is used by white power groups like the Three Percenters. In a now-deleted post, Donohue wrote there was no “hidden agenda or any malice behind” his gesture beyond the indication that he was a three-time winner. “Many of the great champions of old had a little signature hello they would do on-screen when being introduced by Johnny Gilbert,” Donohue wrote. “I decided to count my victories. That’s a 1. That’s a 2. That’s a 3. No more. No less. Had I managed to repeat as champion, you’d have been treated to a 4.”  In a second Facebook post, Donohue wrote: "I’m truly horrified with what has been posted about me on social media. I absolutely, unequivocally condemn white supremacy and racism of any kind. People who know me personally know that I am not a racist, but for the public at large it bears repeating: I am not a racist and I reject and condemn white supremacy and all forms of bigotry for the evil they are. It’s shameful to me to think anyone would try to use the stage of Jeopardy! to advance or promote such a disgusting agenda. During the taping of my fourth episode, I was simply raising three fingers to mark my 3rd win. There was nothing more I was trying to indicate. I deeply regret this terrible misunderstanding. I never meant to hurt a soul and I assure you I am no friend of racists or white supremacists." Donohue also explained that he deleted the previous post because "the comments were more than I could bear."