ESPN suspends Donovan McNabb, Eric Davis after sexual harassment allegations

ESPN has reportedly suspended Donovan McNabb and Eric Davis after a lawsuit filed Monday night alleged they sexually harassed a coworker while working for NFL Network.

McNabb and Davis will not appear on ESPN or ESPN Radio airwaves as the network investigates the claims. NFL Network similarly suspended Marshall Faulk, Heath Evans and Ike Taylor, while The Ringer announced president Eric Weinberger had been placed on leave.

ESPN on Donovan McNabb and Eric Davis re: the NFL Network allegations:
"We are investigating and McNabb and Davis will not appear on our networks as that investigation proceeds."

— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) December 12, 2017

The lawsuit, which was published in full on Deadspin, alleges that Davis and McNabb repeatedly made sexual comments toward the plaintiff. The suit also accuses Davis of rubbing his body against the plaintiff and putting his hand between her legs.

Former on-air talent on NFL Network, Donovan McNabb, sent plaintiff sexually inappropriate comments via text message, including but not limited to, asking Plaintiff if she was a “squirter,” telling Plaintiff she “looked like the kind of girl that squirted when getting fucked,” “CUM to dinner with me,” and “why don’t you CUM over after work.”

[…]

Former on-air talent on NFL Network, Eric Davis, came into Plaintiff’s office pretending to ask for help with his clothes so he could grab and push/rub his body against Plaintiff. Mr. Davis made lewd comments to Plaintiff in her office and while on set, such as, “when are we going to spend time together?” “I want you so bad,” “my cock is so hard because of you right now,” “you look like a woman who knows what to do in bed,” “you look like you would be an animal in the sheets,” “[Mr. Davis] loved really rough sex and would love to be able to spank [Plaintiff] so hard it would leave marks,” “can tell you like it rough and would love it.” Mr. Davis also asked Plaintiff to have rough sex with him, and said that he wanted to choke Plaintiff from behind until Plaintiff begged him to stop. Also, while Plaintiff was working on set on a ladder, Mr. Davis grabbed Plaintiff’s behind, slid his hand between Plaintiff’s legs, and touched Plaintiff’s privates, while saying, “I can’t handle your ass it is so luscious.” When Plaintiff slapped his hand away, Mr. Davis aggressively told Plaintiff to never push his hand away again.”

McNabb joined ESPN as an NFL analyst and radio host in August 2016. He previously worked at NFL Network in 2012 and 2013 before moving to FS1. Davis, who also appears on FS1, joined ESPNLA as a radio host in October.

[Deadspin]