On Friday, the Philadelphia Eagles excused embattled wide receiver Riley Cooper from all team activities to attend racial sensitivity training. The announcement comes two days after a video surfaced in which Cooper used the N-word slur at a Kenny Chesney concert last month.
On the tape, which CrossingBroad.com published, Cooper is heard saying, “I will fight every [N-word] here, bro,” after a confrontation with a black security guard.
The Eagles released a statement acknowledging Cooper has been “excused him from all team activities.”
Cooper, in a statement provided by the team, said the “last few days have been incredibly difficult for me.”
“My actions were inexcusable. The more I think about what I did, the more disgusted I get. I keep trying to figure out how I could have said something so repulsive, and what I can do to make things better,” Cooper said. “Right now, I think it’s important for me to take some time to reflect on this situation. The organization and my teammates have been extremely supportive, but I also realize that there are people who will have a tough time forgiving me for what I’ve done. The best thing for me, and for the team, is to step away for a period of time.
“During this time I’m going to be speaking with a variety of professionals to help me better understand how I could have done something that was so offensive, and how I can start the healing process for everyone. As long as it takes, and whatever I have to do, I’m going to try to make this right.”