15 People Share the Moment They Knew Someone’s Career Was Over

A recent Reddit thread asked people to identify the moment they knew someone’s career was finished, and the answers ranged from personal anecdotes to moments witnessed by nearly everyone on TV. The reasons vary greatly, although they often aren’t a single mistake on the persons’ part.

Rather, what these examples have in common is that the person was caught, and what they were doing was something that started long ago. Of course, this isn’t the case for all examples; some can be boiled down to a single unfortunate circumstance. They’re all still entertaining, though.

The Campbell’s Soup Executive

Martin Bally, a Campbell’s vice president, was recorded allegedly describing the company’s products as food for “poor people.” Campbell’s reviewed the recording, identified his voice, and dismissed him, turning an offhand corporate rant into a career-ending scandal.

The Education Board Executive

One Reddit anecdote describes a school-board executive calling teachers’ COVID-era absence a “seven month vacation,” then learning the next day that he had been fired. Treating the pandemic as a vacation is never ideal.

The Coldplay Concert CEO

Astronomer CEO Andy Byron was caught on a stadium jumbotron embracing chief people officer Kristin Cabot at a Coldplay concert. The footage went viral, Byron resigned days later, and Cabot subsequently resigned too, making the moment extraordinarily consequential.

Rudy Giuliani’s Four Seasons Mix-Up

Rudy Giuliani’s 2020 Philadelphia press conference was held at Four Seasons Total Landscaping, not the luxury hotel apparently expected. The landscaping business became an instant cultural punchline, while the unusual setting was widely mocked and extensively covered.

Justine Sacco’s Tweet

Justine Sacco posted an offensive AIDS joke about Africa immediately before boarding a flight to South Africa. While she was airborne, the tweet went viral; IAC announced it had parted ways with her before she landed.

Jimmy The Greek

Football commentator Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder told a television reporter that Black athletes were superior because enslaved people had supposedly been selectively bred. CBS fired him the following day, ending his 12-year association with the network.

Gerald Ratner’s “Crap”

Jeweller Gerald Ratner joked in 1991 that one of his company’s products was “total crap” and that some earrings might not last as long as a sandwich. The resulting backlash helped wipe £500 million from the group’s value.

The Marketing Director’s Meeting

One workplace story describes a marketing director snapping, “I don’t work for you,” when a vice president asked for copies. Minutes later, the meeting revealed that same VP was becoming president. She lasted only weeks afterward.

Adam Smith’s Chick-fil-A Video

Adam Smith, a corporate finance executive, filmed himself criticizing a Chick-fil-A employee and the company after ordering water at a drive-through. His employer, Vante, fired him days later, saying his behavior did not reflect company values.

Ellen and Dakota Johnson

Dakota Johnson’s 2019 appearance on Ellen became famous after she corrected Ellen DeGeneres for claiming she had not been invited to her birthday. The awkward exchange later became part of the broader public reassessment of DeGeneres’s television persona.

Kramer’s Racist Rant

Michael Richards’ 2006 stand-up meltdown at the Laugh Factory, during which he directed racial slurs at hecklers, was captured on video and broadcast widely. Richards apologized publicly, but the incident effectively ended his mainstream stand-up career.

Ronda Rousey Invincibility Aura

Ronda Rousey entered UFC 193 undefeated and as a dominant champion, then suffered a second-round knockout against Holly Holm. The defeat shattered her aura of invincibility, though it did not literally end her combat-sports career.

The Workplace Video Mistake

One workplace anecdote describes a man whose former partner denied their relationship after they broke up. He showed coworkers intimate videos to prove they had dated, although revealing them would likely cost him his job. It did.

Vishal Garg’s Leadership Exit

Better.com founder Vishal Garg went viral for firing 900 employees on Zoom just before Christmas. He was later made redundant, and begged to have his job back, a grace he did not give those prior 900.

Joe Theismann’s Injury

Joe Theismann’s 1985 leg fracture against the Giants was immediately recognized as potentially career-ending. Lawrence Taylor’s sack shattered Theismann’s tibia and fibula, and the Washington quarterback ultimately never played another NFL game after the injury.