Redskins GM’s wife posts vulgar tweet about ESPN reporter, then apologizes
By
Ryan Lazo
September 2, 2015 | 10:40pm
Apparently the dysfunction within the Redskins organization is not confined to those employed by the team, but also family members of those who are.
In a tweet sent out
earlier this week, Jessica McCloughan, the wife of Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan, asked ESPN reporter Dianna Russini if she used unorthodox methods in order to obtain information which led to her exclusively breaking the news of Kirk Cousins being named the Redskins starter for the 2015 season.
“Please tell us how many BJ's to get this story. And did they laugh at you before or after,” the tweet said.
McCloughan apologized Wednesday evening for the vulgar tweet.
“I deeply apologize for the disparaging remarks about an ESPN reporter on my personal Twitter account. The comment was unfounded and inappropriate, and I have the utmost respect for both the reporter and ESPN,” she said in a statement released by the Redskins. “I regret that my actions have brought undeserved negative attention to the Redskins organization and its leadership.
“My comments in no way reflect the opinions or attitudes of the organization, and I regret that my behavior has in any way negatively impacted the team and its loyal fan base.”
The tweet in question came from a private account which meant only people who could have seen McCloughan’s comments are people she approved of. Nevertheless, a screen grab of her tweet began making the rounds on the Internet early Wednesday.
ESPN responded to the controversy with a statement of its own, supporting Russini who was hired by the company in May.
“Dianna is an excellent reporter who should never have to be subjected to such vulgar comments,” the statement read. “We are obviously disappointed by today’s developments.”
McCloughan’s tweet follows a recent bad string of publicity surrounding the Redskins. First, quarterback Robert Griffin III was medically cleared of concussion symptoms and participate in the team’s third preseason game before the team reversing course and insisting he did, indeed, suffer a concussion.
Then, RG3’s official Instagram page liked a page which eviscerated the Redskins’ ownership, and the way it has treated the quarterback. Griffin later put up his own Instagram post, claiming to set the record straight.
“I just wanted to set the record straight on this one,” he wrote. “I did not ‘like’ that IG post ridiculing our team. I have not been social media active consistently for awhile now and am ultra-focused on working to get back on the field, and trying to help this team win. … One of our interns who helps with Instagram liked the post.”
Liking posts, delivering vulgar messages and misdiagnosing a franchise quarterback has turned the Redskins into a reality TV show.