Brian Williams Temporarily Steps Down From 'Nightly News' [VIDEOS]

Brian Williams announced Saturday that he will be temporarily stepping aside from "NBC Nightly News" after his integrity has come under fire.

In the midst of a career spent covering and consuming news, it has become painfully apparent to me that I am presently too much a part of the news, due to my actions. Upon my return, I will continue my career-long effort to be worthy of the trust of those who place their trust in us."
-- Brian Williams wrote in a staff memo

It all started last week, when Williams was at a New York Rangers' NHL game. He was with a soldier who helped guard him while a convoy of military helicopters they were flying on was forced to land in Iraq in 2003. At the game, Williams claimed the helicopter he was on had been hit by enemy fire.

Veterans then spoke out and pointed out that Williams' words were inaccurate.

Williams explained this on a newscast last Wednesday:

"I said I was traveling in an aircraft that was hit by RPG fire. I was instead in a following aircraft. We all landed after the groundfire incident and spent two harrowing nights in a sandstorm in the Iraq desert.”

Here's where things get dicey for the veteran newsman. He didn't just misspeak on this occurrence once; he has recalled it incorrectly multiple times since 2003.

NBC News announced it was probing Williams' retracted statement in an investigation, USA Today reported Friday.

Here's Williams' original NBC report from 2003.

Here's Williams telling the story on "The Late Show with David Letterman" in 2013.

Here's the apology.

Could this be a case of Williams misremembering the facts?

I hope so. I really like him. The only one who will ever know the answer to that question is Brian. Accident or not, the damage has been done. When you report the news, all you have is integrity. When your integrity goes into question, the public and other media will hold a grudge.

I'm sure time will heal the wounds, but until then, let's have fun with Williams' light side.