Floyd Mayweather couldn't possibly be a racist ... because he employs sooooo many white people!

The boxing superstar has been in hot water ever since he tweeted that New York Knicks guard Jeremy Lin was only receiving attention because he was Asian. 

Mayweather has stood by his words and when he was asked about it yesterday, he proceeded to mention all the white people around him ... even pointing out that one of them "does a tremendous job."

Now that's progress.

If New York Knicks sensation Jeremy Lin wasn't a big ass deal before, he sure as hell is now -- because Manny Pacquiao tells TMZ ... even HE'S Linsane in the membrane.

Manny was on his way into Loews Regency hotel in New York yesterday -- we asked if he's succumbed to the wave of Linsanity sweeping across the planet, and the boxing legend said YES ... claiming, "He's good ... from Asia."

DID YOU HEAR THAT?!?!?!?!?!! Manny Pacquiao said Jeremy Lin is GOOD!!!

We need some air.

The day after speaking at the funeral of Whitney Houston, Kevin Costner hit up Madison Square Garden this afternoon to check out Jeremy Lin and the New York Knicks. 

In other Lin news, ESPN announced today that it "dismissed" the employee responsible for the offensive headline about Lin that appeared on their mobile site over the weekend. 

The headline, which featured the phrase "chink in the armor," appeared for only 35 minutes in the middle of the night, the network said. ESPN also suspended an anchor who made a similar comment on air. 

ESPN issued an apology last night after a racially insensitive headline about New York Knicks star guard Jeremy Lin appeared on their mobile site.

The headline, "Chink In the Armor," appeared only on mobile browsers, the network said, and only between the hours of 2:30 AM ET and 3:05 AM ET.

ESPN posted an apology on their media site, which read in part, "We are conducting a complete review of our cross-platform editorial procedures and are determining appropriate disciplinary action to ensure this does not happen again. We regret and apologize for this mistake."

Call her Sarah Pa-LIN ... because the former Vice-Presidential candidate is the new Knicks' sensation's biggest fan -- even showing off her brand new "LINSANITY" t-shirt on the streets of New York today.

According to Sarah, Jeremy Lin is everything America stands for -- calling him "an American story ... uplifting, positive ... he unifies our country!"

But when it came to deciding between Lin and Tim Tebow -- Sarah reverts to politician mode, telling us she can't decide between the two ... she loves them both. Lame.

So we gotta ask ...

Jeremy Lin is the biggest sensation to hit sports since Tim Tebow burst on the scene -- and wouldn't you know it ... Lin says Tebow is one of his biggest inspirations. 

In case you've missed out on Linsanity -- Jeremy has come out of nowhere to be the New York Knicks starting point guard. He's scored more points in his first three career starts than any modern era NBA player ... and he's a devout Christian.

Before dropping 38 on Kobe Bryant and the Lakers last night, Lin -- who said he may become a minister after his playing days -- told 95.7 FM in San Francisco that he's inspired by and really respects Tebow.

Lin explained, "I actually want to be able to do some of the things that he does in terms of the amount of charity work and the non-profit work, and the way he impacts people off the field. I think that is what is most inspiring to me about him."

If this keeps up, church attendance is going to go through the roof. 

NY Knicks breakout star Jeremy Lin -- the no-name from Harvard who's been sleeping on his brother's couch -- has some great news ... HE'S FINALLY MOVING INTO HIS OWN PLACE!!

Lin broke the news in D.C. yesterday on his way to the team bus ... telling a photog, "Yeah, I'm gonna go get my own place soon."

23-year-old Lin has been taking the NBA by storm ... ever since the Knicks threw the undrafted Ivy leaguer into the lineup earlier this month.

Lin had told reporters he was staying on his brother's couch, because he didn't have a guaranteed contract and he wanted more career security before plunking down his hard-earned cash on a pad.

But now that he's been KILLING it around the league, dropping 23 points and 10 assists against the Wizards last night ... seems Lin is confident this whole basketball thing could actually work out.