Video of Willie McGinest ambushing a man in a Los Angeles establishment and then assaulting him with a group of other men recently surfaced, and now the New England Patriots legend is breaking his silence.
McGinest took to social media to share a statement regarding the incident in which he punched a man who he later hit over the head with a bottle.
The NFL Network analyst apologized for his actions which led to his arrest on charges of assault with a deadly weapon.
— Willie McGinest (@WillieMcGinest) December 23, 2022
The statement reads:
“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. To my family, community friends, and youth I mentor, please know I feel horrible for my actions and take full responsibility.
“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.
“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. It is personally devastating that decades of community service, youth engagement, mentoring, and professional development would become an afterthought in a single moment that should have never happened.
“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. Rest assured, I will take whatever steps necessary to restore the public trust, mend damaged relationships, and ensure this never happens again.”
There is no word on whether a case will move forward with the charges or whether McGinest plans to settle.
In the meantime, the NFL Network has said that McGinest will not be appearing on the network until a review of the situation is complete.
