Former Washington, D.C. radio host Don Geronimo has apologized through his PR team for disparaging comments he made about WUSA reporter Sharla McBride while on the air.
“Last week, during my live radio show from the Commanders training camp, I used inappropriate words in a way that hurt someone,” he said in the statement. “I deeply and sincerely apologize for the pain I caused WUSA sports reporter Sharla McBride.”
Geronimo made the comments while hosting his radio show from the Commanders camp. Both the NFL team and iHeart Radio have distanced themselves from Geronimo. He was fired from WBIG and the Commanders barred the station from camp.
McBride said she was hurt and incredibly offended that after 17 years as a journalist, sexist comments like that discredit her as a professional. She called it inappropriate, unprofessional and embarrassing.
“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,” he added. “My attempts to be humorous and topical backfired, and I needlessly deprecated a professional colleague.”
He also said he wanted to correct some reports he called inaccurate by saying neither he nor his producer used the word “tight” to describe McBride.
He said he has reached out to McBride and hopes she can forgive him when she is ready.
Here’s the complete statement:
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.