Olbermann sought the president's forgiveness for "whatever part I may have played in perpetuating this ceaseless coverage," according to a White House email describing his apology.

"I'll be heading back to my previous career in sports as quickly as possible," added the commentator, whose career has shifted several times between political television and sportscasting jobs.
In response, a White House aide suggested at the time that Clinton should send Olbermann the standard thank-you note for public correspondence.
Clinton was impeached by the House of Representatives over the affair in 1998, but was acquitted by the Senate.