Actor Mark Wahlberg has a unique relationship with the tragedy that took place on September 11, 2001. He was originally supposed to be on one of the plans that ultimately hit the Twin Towers, but he changed his flight plans last minute to avoid being on it. A decade after that fateful decision, Wahlberg spoke out about what he would’ve done had he been on the plane: “If I was on that plane with my kids, it wouldn’t have went down like it did. There would have been a lot of blood in that first-class cabin and then me saying, ‘OK, we’re going to land somewhere safely, don’t worry.’”
A backlash soon ensued, with many saying the comments were insensitive to those who lost their lives on 9/11. Shortly thereafter, Reuters reported on Wahlberg’s apology, where he said, “I deeply apologize to the families of the victims that my answer came off as insensitive, it was certainly not my intention.” It also caused some problems for Wahlberg’s brother, Donnie, who plays a New York cop on “Blue Bloods,” and he, too, had to respond to the situation.
Donnie Wahlberg thinks his brother did the right thing in apologizing
It seems as though Mark Wahlberg was immediately put in his place following his controversial comments, but the fallout ended up landing in Donnie Wahlberg’s lap since he was on “Blue Bloods” at the time. During an interview with CBS Atlanta 46, Mark’s comments, which were still fresh in the media’s mind, came up, and Donnie was quick to say how he agreed that his brother’s comments were inappropriate. He says how he personally didn’t receive any kind of backlash but goes on to say, “What he said was inappropriate, and he knows that. He’s apologized. The tragedy of 9/11 should never be looked at in any light other than it was a horrific tragedy, and the people that sacrificed their lives and lost their lives and their families deserve nothing but our love and respect and admiration.”
It’s clear Donnie Wahlberg is in damage control mode at this portion of the interview, and the reporter goes on to ask him if he personally experienced any backlash due to the comments. It doesn’t sound like he went through much, but he does admit, “I go to work every day with New Yorkers, and I work with police officers who lost loved ones in 9/11. So it’s certainly, it was a tough situation.” He goes on to talk about how Mark has a history with New York, and he too has played a New York cop in the past, notably in 2007’s “We Own the Night.”
It was a lesson for all in humility and making sure to think before speaking.