The last time ESPN TV reporter Britt McHenry made this much news was when she controversially reported last November that Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III had alienated much of the locker room, a report that got major pushback from other reporters who cover Washington’s NFL team and drew derision from coach Jay Gruden.
But on Thursday, a video of McHenry was leaked that featured her in a much harsher light.
While dealing with a towing company employee and attempting to retrieve her car, McHenry insulted the woman with whom she was dealing, telling the employee that she needed to lose weight and commenting on the rest of her appearance. All while playing the, “I’m on TV, so I’m better than you” card. Take a look.
So, um, that’s fairly condescending. And as a result, ESPN announced Thursday evening that McHenry has been suspended for a week, effective immediately.
The incident reportedly occurred earlier this month when McHenry’s car was towed while she was eating dinner in Arlington, Va. She discussed the matter on Twitter with the local news media immediately afterward and obviously couldn’t believe her luck, especially since she was towed on a Sunday evening. Here’s the towing company’s side of the story, via Busted Coverage, if you’re interested.
That apparently led to McHenry’s ugly rant—which was leaked Thursday and immediately went viral.
A few hours after the video appeared, McHenry issued an apology on Twitter.
Britt McHenry/Twitter
The apology didn’t help her avoid a punishment, though. Hopefully, it will help her avoid these kinds of situations again, no matter who is frustrating her, if that person happens to work in the TV industry, and no matter what that person might look like.
Photo via Keith Allison/Flickr (CC BY SA 2.0)
