Following his firing from iHeartMedia Classic Rock “Big 100” WBIG-FM Washington DC over comments directed towards WUSA-TV reporter/anchor Sharla McBride while both were broadcasting from Washington Commanders training camp on Thursday, Don Geronimo has issued his first statement on the incident with a public apology and desire to do so to McBride in-person.
Last week, during my live radio show from the Commanders training camp, I used inappropriate words in a way that hurt someone. I deeply and sincerely apologize for the pain I caused WUSA sports reporter Sharla McBride.
As has been reported, I insensitively used the terms “Barbie,” “Barbie girl,” and “chick” when talking about Ms. McBride, a fellow broadcaster who I did not know or recognize, when she walked by our broadcast position. My attempts to be humorous and topical backfired, and I needlessly deprecated a professional colleague.
I want to correct one inaccurate aspect of some media reports. Contrary to those reports, neither I nor my producer used the word “tight” to describe Ms. McBride. Rather, my producer used the word “tight” – a common term in the broadcast world that refers to seamless production – to describe a technical aspect of our show that day. The timing of it was unfortunately misconstrued in some reports as part of my reference to Ms. McBride.
I have reached out to Ms. McBride to apologize.
When she feels ready, I hope that we can have a conversation and that I will have the opportunity to reiterate my apology to her in person.
I hope that Ms. McBride and the listeners who heard me will forgive me. I am better than this, and I promise to demonstrate that going forward.
— DonGeronimoShow (@DonGeronimoShow) August 2, 2023
