FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 23, 2022
Which for those keeping score at home is 14 days after I gathered a gang to publicly beat a man, and 4 days after I realized I had been caught on tape and had to turn myself in. Then I had a ton of Christmas shopping. But immediately after that, I immediately drafted this, and IMMEDIATELY RELEASED it.
Statement Released by
NFL Great and Sports Analyst Willie McGinest
Today, former New England Patriots Linebacker and NFL Network analyst Willie McGinest
released the following statement stemming from a December 9, 2022, incident that Ied to his
voluntary summdering to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department on Monday, December
19, 2022.
As noted above, it has been a busy time for everyone.
"First and foremost, I want to offer my deepest apology for my lapse in judgment and behavior
on December 9 at a restaurant in West Hollywood.
It was indeed, a faux pas. And who hasn't been there? One judiciously purses one's lips, considering whether one ought order the extra truffle fries for the table, even though Kevin has told you about his cholesterol problem, and then, almost before you know it - the lapse occurs, and you've gathered a gang of thugs to publicly beat a man in a West Hollywood restaurant with whatever implements you can lay hands on, terrifying other diners, and generally behaving like a cretin. The "judgement" as they say, has been "lapsed."
To my family, community, friends, and youth I mentor, please know I feel horrible for my actions and take full responsibility.
To be clear, I plan on securing the most minimal punishment I can weasel into, minimizing the entire incident in pursuit of my career, and generally not acknowledging the fact that I repeatedly clubbed a restaurant-goer in the head with a bottle. But as a role model to youth, Jarvis has convinced me it is in my best interest to make this sort of statement. And I agreed to it because, as Jarvis pointed out, it's a bit vague in terms of just where I am taking that responsibility, and what I'm going to do with it when I get there.
To my colleagues at the NFL Network and those I work closely with as an advisor to professional
and community-based organizations, please know I am embarrassed and regret what occurred.
As evidenced by my immediate surrender, and my taking of full responsibility someplace.
Most of all, I am disappointed in myself, as I know this is an isolated incident and is not reflective
of my faith, role as a father, life's body of work, or the role model I've worked hard to become.
I mean, one might think that my faith and character is reflective of gathering a gang together to publicly beat a man as he and others were casually dining. Because that's what I did. So it's important I let you know that really, my faith does not reflect that sort of thing. Nor my well-acted role as a father. Nor my life's slightly swollen and dazed body of work of psyching myself up to lay hands on other human beings. Nor the role model I have so carefully leveraged my millions into appearing to be, because at heart I'm really a. . .ahem, because everyone really needs to work hard at becoming a model with a well-acted role, given how easy it is to gather a posse and smash someone's face open because they provoked me. You know what I'm saying. Faith, father, role model. Lapse.
It is personally devastating that decodes of community service, youth engagement, mentoring, and
professional development would become an afterthought in a single moment that should have
never happened.
Although I am hoping that more voluntary community service might feature in my near future. (Please note, I've done that shit before and can find my own way there. Hint. Hint. Are you getting this?)
This incident has prompted me to deep self-reflection - mind, soul, and spirit. I know that violence
is never the answer to such situations, no matter how intense the provocation.
I know that next time I will make sure there are no cameras, because there's just no way I'm willing to let the man I clubbed in the head with a bottle win. Because man, he had it coming. And it really did seem that violence was the answer to that particular situation. Because I was really provoked. Hence the plan to gather my peeps, find the guy, and. . .the lapsing. . .the lapse. It was just not a good judgment day. Who runs cameras watching people eat? Doesn't that just seem crazy?
Rest assured, I will take whatever steps necessary to restore the public trust, mend damaged relationships, and ensure this never happens again."
I know there are so many of you out there faced with sleepless nights, because I, NFL Great and Sports Analyst Willie McGinest, am that fucking important. But, do not trouble yourselves - I'm past that shit disrespecting me, and he has learned his lesson too. And the public, who thinks about me a lot, should definitely trust me. As evidenced by my:
-Immediate surrender and statementing.
-Full takings of responsibilities.
-Personal feeling of devastation that I was caught.
-Willingness to not blame the victim all that much, even though he had it coming.
I hope to be working again soon, and in the meantime, you are welcome to reach out to someone who is not me, because the lapse is over, and the responsibility has been taken, and I am taking steps.
Media Contact:
Jarvis Stewart
Ass Cover Communications
Iamsoslick@theywillneverfigureitout.com
T: 202.669.3544