Did Papa John’s go overboard with its T-shirts calling Lebron James a “Crybaby?” Regardless of how you feel about it, this cheap price on pizza might help to make amends. Check out more on this Thursday’s promotion!

The Associated Press recently reported that Papa John’s newest (and unadvertised) pizza promotion was inspired by an apology to Lebron James, who was reportedly insulted by a recent T-shirt made by the popular pizza chain. The shirts, which featured the number 23 (Lebron’s number) and the word “crybaby,” were worn during a game against the Washington Wizards. (A comment from Wizards’ center Brendan Haywood prompted the “crybaby” catch word.)

We all know that you just can’t throw around a big, bad word like “crybaby” and get away with it. To prove the point, Papa John’s is offering a large, one-topping pizza to Cleveland residents for only 23 cents (this Thursday only.) The best part of the public apology to Lebron and his fanbase – a $10,000 donation to the Cavaliers Youth Fund – should also help to smooth things over with the Cleveland crowd.

Just when we thought our own Paul Michael was getting a good return on his bad investment at another Papa we know, good ol’ Papa John’s gives Cleveland a reason to celebrate. And while we don’t have pro basketball here where I live, my number in high school was 03, and I really hate being called “cheap.” You hear that, Olive Garden?!?!

UPDATE:  According to WKYC , this offer has been expanded to include some stores in NE Ohio (Toledo and Youngstown):   

Papa Johns "will provide one large, one-topping pizza for carry-out/pick-up only, for customers. No on-line orders are included in this offer.

The 50 shops, including the ones in Akron, Barberton, Cleveland, Massillon, Toledo, Youngstown, Hudson, Wadsworth, Kent, Stow, Cuyahoga Falls, Euclid, Mentor, Barberton, Alliance, Macedonia, Shaker Heights, and Lakewood, will honor the 23-cent deal. The stores open at 11 a.m. and customers can call or come in to a shop to get the deal. However, no home delivery or on-line orders of the special "apology" pizzas will be made on Thursday.

The 23-cent deal is limited to one per household or one per person and all proceeds from the 23-cent pizzas are going to the LeBron James Family Fund and the Cavaliers Youth Fund."