"Brooklyn Nine-Nine" star Terry Crews said Tuesday he can "understand and empathize with those who have remained silent" about sexual assault and harassment in Hollywood -- because he did too.
With so many female stars bravely sharing their stories of sexual misconduct at the hands of Harvey Weinstein and other men in the industry (which we'll dub the Weinstein Effect), the former football player revealed he too was groped by a "high level Hollywood executive" in 2016.
"This whole thing with Harvey Weinstein is giving me PTSD. Why? Because this kind of thing happened to ME," he tweeted. "My wife n I were at a Hollywood function last year n a high level Hollywood executive came over 2 me and groped my privates (sic)."
All Harvey Weinstein's Accusers: Complete Breakdown of Sexual Abuse and Harassment Claims (Updating)
View Story"Jumping back I said What are you doing?! My wife saw everything n we looked at him like he was crazy. He just grinned like a jerk (sic)," he continued. "I was going to kick his ass right then— but I thought twice about how the whole thing would appear. '240 lbs. Black Man stomps out Hollywood Honcho' would be the headline the next day."
See all 14 of Crews' tweets for the full story below.
This whole thing with Harvey Weinstein is giving me PTSD. Why? Because this kind of thing happened to ME. (1/Cont.)
@terrycrews
My wife n I were at a Hollywood function last year n a high level Hollywood executive came over 2 me and groped my privates. (2/cont.)
@terrycrews
Jumping back I said What are you doing?! My wife saw everything n we looked at him like he was crazy. He just grinned like a jerk. (3/cont.)
@terrycrews
I was going to kick his ass right then— but I thought twice about how the whole thing would appear. (4/cont.)
@terrycrews
“240 lbs. Black Man stomps out Hollywood Honcho” would be the headline the next day. (5/cont.)
@terrycrews
Only I probably wouldn't have been able to read it because I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN JAIL. So we left.
@terrycrews
(6/cont.)
That night and the next day I talked to everyone I knew that worked with him about what happened. (7/cont.)
@terrycrews
He called me the next day with an apology but never really explained why he did what he did. (8/cont.)
@terrycrews
He then explained why he didn't want to talk about it at first.
I decided not 2 take it further becuz I didn't want 2b ostracized— par 4 the course when the predator has power n influence. (9/cont.)
@terrycrews
I let it go. And I understand why many women who this happens to let it go. (10/cont.)
@terrycrews
Who's going 2 believe you? ( few) What r the repercussions?(many) Do u want 2 work again? (Yes) R you prepared 2b ostracized?(No)(11/cont.)
@terrycrews
I love what I do. But it's a shame and the height of disappointment when someone tries to takes advantage of that. (12/cont.)
@terrycrews
He knows who he is. But sumtimes Uhav2 wait & compare notes w/ others who've been victimized in order 2gain a position of strength. (13cont)
@terrycrews
I understand and empathize with those who have remained silent. But Harvey Weinstein is not the only perpetrator. (14/cont.)
@terrycrews
Stars including Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ashley Judd, Mira Sorvino and Asia Argento are among the many women who accused Weinstein of sexual assault and harassment.
Other women, including Kathie Lee Gifford, have been emboldened to share their harassment experiences with other men in the industry, too.
Click the links below for more of TooFab's extensive Weinstein coverage: