The Papa John's pizza chain has apologized to Clevelanders for T-shirts mocking Cavaliers player LeBron James by offering 23-cent pizzas Thursday.

The daylong event -- which includes 86 Ohio locations in Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo and Youngstown -- offers customers the chance to purchase a large, one-topping pizza for 23 cents. That's more than $10 below the normal price, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported Thursday.

The event comes after Cleveland residents and Cavaliers fans expressed outrage at Papa John's T-shirts that labeled star player James as a "crybaby."

"This is a bargain," said Cleveland Heights resident Renee Norris, 59. "It's a big deal. Especially with the ramifications of it, I think it's deserved." (c) UPI