Erin McParland, the former NFL Network makeup artist that penned a first hand account of her time at the network for Sports Illustrated last December has filed suit against the network and two prominent personalities. Both Michael Irvin and Eric Davis are accused of sexual harassment. The network is accused of mishandling McParland’s complaint about Davis to Human Resources.
This is the second lawsuit of this type filed against the NFL Network. As Awful Announcing notes, the first one led to major shakeups not just at the NFL Network, but at other outlets that had hired former NFL Network staffers.
Her account seemed like a lawsuit waiting to happen, and now it has, the second such lawsuit filed against the network. The first led to the suspensions of Marshall Faulk, Heath Evans, and Ike Taylor from their NFL Network duties, as well as the firing of Donovan McNabb and Eric Davis from their new gigs at ESPN.
In the lawsuit, McParland claims Michael Irvin “made inappropriate gestures and comments to (McParland) and once grabbed (McParland’s) waist”. The suit also claims that Eric Davis was guilty of multiple instances of inappropriate and unwelcome advances both in person and on social media. Davis is also accused of hugging McParland and “force[ing] his genitals against (McParland) and he would also rub his genitals on (McParland’s) leg”.
USA Today detailed McParland’s complaint with NFL Network’s HR department.
McParland complained to human resources about Davis and Irvin, but the lawsuit claimed no action was taken until another female employee lodged similar complaints against Davis. The NFL told Davis “the best course of action was for Davis to leave NFL quietly,” according to the lawsuit.
McParland was assured via text messages that Davis would not be allowed to confront her, but Davis did just that in an off-set trailer where he “aggressively stood over” her, according to the lawsuit. An NFL human resources executive apologized for the “mishandled situation.”
You can read McParland’s first hand account of her time at NFL Network here. As of this posting, Michael Irvin is still listed as on-air talent for the network.