MINA Kimes claimed she enjoys hitting back at social media users who have a problem with her.
And ESPN star Kimes said her fellow women in sports media also love it.
Mina Kimes claimed she loves hitting back at critics online[/caption]
Kimes is the only female full-time NFL analyst for ESPN[/caption]
Kimes, 39, is an NFL analyst for ESPN.
The network employs a number of females across it’s coverage.
Kimes is the only dedicated female NFL analyst while Laura Rutledge hosts football shows.
Speaking to Dan Le Batard on South Beach Sessions podcast, Kimes revealed her reason for engaging with hateful comments.
She said, “A big part of the reason every now and then, I punch back, is women love it.
“The number one thing, when I meet young women in the industry, they’re like, ‘I saw you dunk on this dude and it just made me feel so good.’
“They’re like, ‘Just for once, one of us hit back and won.’
“I hope that doesn’t sound like I’m justifying my own trolling because it makes me a role model.
“But I swear to god, it is the first thing women tell me, is that they love it.”
Kimes also feels she has to be even more watchful with her words given she’s a woman.
“I would say less careful, and more like there’s pressure to be perfect, right?” Kimes said.
“Not make mistakes, and be extra prepared and be 110 percent.
“And that, to me, is the best role model I can be.
“Doing my job really well and having the respect of the players I’m around.
“That’s the best thing I can do for young women.”
Kimes regularly appears on shows such as Get Up, First Take and SportsCenter.
She often faces some big personalities across the network such as Stephen A. Smith.
But the 39-year-old isn’t afraid to broadcast her opinion.
Kimes originally joined ESPN to work for The Magazine in 2014.
Since taking on her new role, the analyst has also appeared on a number of podcasts.
