Former NBC4 Washington co-anchor Leon Harris has broken his silence, speaking out about his concerning appearance on the show on Thanksgiving
Harris told his former colleague Daryn Kagan that he had a “couple glasses of wine” before being pulled off the air on her Call Me Friend podcast
The incident officially ended his time on NBC4, the station confirmed in a statement last month
Leon Harris is opening up about his struggles and his mistakes.
The former NBC4 Washington anchor concerned viewers back on Thanksgiving, when he appeared to be suffering a then-unknown medical emergency during the live broadcast. Clips of Harris struggling to read the teleprompter and appearing to slur his words circulated on the Internet in the wake of the incident.
Several months later, it was announced that Harris would be stepping down from his role at NBC4 to focus on his health.
Daryn Kagan/Youtube
Former NBC4 Washington co-anchor Leon Harris speaks out about his on-air disaster.
Now, in a new interview with his friend and former colleague Daryn Kagan on her Call Me Friend podcast, Harris shared what really happened that day.
During the interview, which was released May 14, Harris shared that he’d had a meal and a “couple glasses of wine” before going on the air. However, after struggling with past alcohol issues, Harris said that he could no longer drink the way he used to without negative repercussions.
“I ended up drinking between shows, and I went on the air,” Harris shared. “I was more affected than I thought I was. Even at the time, I felt like I was perfectly fine.”
But after numerous viewers called in expressing their concern for Harris, he said he was “pulled off the air.”
“People were calling. They were thinking that I was having a stroke,” he said. “It was the most embarrassing thing that has ever, ever happened to me.”
Shortly after, Harris was sent right to rehab to continue what he refers to as his “battle with alcoholism.”
The longtime broadcast journalist knows that the clips circulate on the Internet, saying on the podcast, “I’ll never be able to live down or get away from it.”
Not only did the moment affect his professional life, Harris said it’s also impacted him “domestically,” though he didn’t elaborate further. The former Washington D.C.-based anchor is married to Dawn Harris and shares two adult children with her.
Kris Connor/Getty
Leon Harris in Washington D.C. on 2011.
Despite the embarrassing moment, Harris said that the day “may have been liberating” for him.
“Having that job and having the status and the responsibilities that came with it, actually may have been part of the reason I was drinking,” he shared, reflecting on the pressure he felt in the role.
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On April 8, the longtime news anchor announced his departure after taking a four-month leave of absence from NBC4 “to focus on [his] health and family” following the incident.
“After 40+ years of nonstop work and the dramatic changes in the news and television industry, I’ve made the difficult decision to step away from my role at NBC4. I’m grateful to NBC4 for having me as part of their team for the last eight years,” he said in a statement.
“This is the right time to prioritize my health and family,” he added.
The station announced the news via Instagram alongside their own statement about his departure. “We are grateful for Leon’s eight years of service to our newsroom…He will be missed, and we wish him nothing but the best,” they said.
When reached by PEOPLE, the station confirmed that Harris’ departure was permanent.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
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