Britt McHenry, the former ESPN reporter who’s found a second act as a conservative political personality, ripped Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Chris Long Thursday for donating his $1 million salary to charity.
Sounds like it would be tough to do, right? Not for someone as full of misplaced rage as McHenry.
Her attack on Long came after he criticized the NFL’s new national anthem policy. The new policy isn’t about patriotism, Long tweeted, but about cash. “This is fear of a diminished bottom line,” he wrote.
McHenry first ripped Long for pandering and seeking publicity, a topic about which she would know a lot.
Question. How much do you love the publicity of being a champion vs social issues vs you know the actual business and what people want? Not hating either way, but you and your brother pander so much. It’s comical. https://t.co/ExRsHHT3oJ
— Britt McHenry (@BrittMcHenry) May 24, 2018
Then she brought up something that would seemingly be pretty hard to attack: Long’s donation of his base salary from 2017. All told, Long gave away $1 million last year to fund scholarships and bolster education non-profits in Charlottesville, his home town, and St. Louis, Boston and Philadelphia, the three cities in which he’s played.
Someone ten years into their career has already made MILLIONS. You know what gets them PUBLICITY? Giving up one season of “Salary.” Quickest way to a TV booth when you retire. Sorry I’m not sorry.
— Britt McHenry (@BrittMcHenry) May 24, 2018
The way McHenry sees it, Long, who’s made tons of money throughout his career, is buying good publicity for $1 million. Why would he need good publicity? She doesn’t seem to have thought about that.
If I made $39 million on ONE contract NFL deal and also came from a rich family, please, PLEASE think critically about why I’d donate a season of salary. Hello tax write off. All the pub for 1 mil vs 39 mil guaranteed. Libs & Long brothers play you.
— Britt McHenry (@BrittMcHenry) May 24, 2018
McHenry could have avoided this foot-in-mouth moment if she would have asked herself a simple question: How many athletes who are as rich as Long have also given $1 million to charity? It’s a short list. But she didn’t ask herself that question, so people let her know how dumb her take was.
https://twitter.com/KevinMawae/status/999687441131831296
Delete your account. How can you find an issue with any person at any point in a short window of being an NFL athlete donating their earnings to charity. This @BrittMcHenry tweet and mindset is part of the problem in this country. https://t.co/wntMKnideh
— Jason Myrtetus (@jasonmyrt) May 24, 2018
There are a whole lot of I’s in your tweet, when it’s not about you…..@JOEL9ONE does a hell of a lot for a hell of a lot of people, I’d rather not judge someone who helps as much as he does…
— Mike Golic (@golic) May 24, 2018
It’s crazy to me that Britt Mchenry would rip someone for donating to charity. Calling Chris Long's actions a publicity stunt and a tax write off.
— Emmett Golden (@egoldie80) May 25, 2018
https://twitter.com/AnthonyIrwinLA/status/999687278845878272
McHenry must have seen some of these tweets, because she later responded with an acknowledgment that “every donation is a good donation.”
Not feeding clickbait today, sorry. Every donation is a good donation, if it gives back. Setting up a fundraiser for US veterans for fans to have fun with the Caps & Golden Knights #StanleyCupFinal. Have it ready this weekend. Carry on.
— Britt McHenry (@BrittMcHenry) May 24, 2018