Howard Eskin is no longer remaining silent.
The former WIP radio host has denied allegations that he “forcibly grabbed” a female colleague during an argument that led to his abrupt departure from the station in December.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Friday that Eskin grabbed the woman — an employee of Audacy, the station’s parent company — during an escalated argument on Dec. 9 following a remote broadcast at a Chickie’s & Pete’s sports bar location in South Philadelphia
“I had hoped to avoid commenting on my departure from WIP but the vicious smear campaign being waged against me by a small group of employees at the station forces me to defend myself,” Eskin posted Saturday on X. “There was absolutely no ‘physical altercation’ between me and a female employee at the station. I did not ‘forcibly grab’ anyone.”
Eskin continued that the woman “interrupted” him during “an important conversation” with Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham after they’d gone off the air “and I raised my voice irritated at the interruption.”
“She stormed away and I followed her and tapped her arm to get her attention to apologize and explain why I was upset,” Eskin wrote. “I did not grab her. I apologized three times. She wouldn’t accept my apology or hear me out.
“The amount of piling on since has been disappointing to say the least. I am only commenting because in all the years of a very public life I have never put a hand on anyone. I can’t tolerate these lies. As they say, don’t believe everything you read in the paper or on social media.”
The woman, the Inquirer reported, had interrupted the conversation to inform Graham that a group of fans seeking autographs was waiting for him.
Over the summer, Eskin had been banned from Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies’ home stadium — but maintained his WIP radio gig after issuing a public apology — after an Aramark employee accused him of giving her an “unwelcome kiss” before a game.
Eskin hosted a show on Saturday mornings on the station and served as a sideline reporter for Eagles broadcasts.
Audacy announced before Christmas that the network had “parted ways” with him and was replaced by Devan Kaney on the sidelines for the Eagles’ Dec. 29 game against the Cowboys.