“I wasn’t planning on this happening; it just got too serious and out of hand,” Patterson said. “It really didn’t occur to me until I started thinking about it late last night that I realized what I got myself into, and I realized I couldn’t get myself out of it without at least asking for an apology,” he said.
Despite his comments, Patterson says he is not a racist.
“I just want them to know that I ain’t like that. I was raised better than that, and I just got in over my head,” he said. “I put that on Twitter. I can’t take it back, and it’s always going to be in the back of somebody’s mind that I said that, but I can’t make them forgive me.”
Patterson also expressed his apologies to his teammates and the Commander-in-Chief.
“I want to apologize to President Obama for my outbreak last night. What I said was uncalled for, but I didn’t even stop to think what he was saying before it was sent. If I could go back right now, I would change it. I wouldn’t hesitate to do so,” Patterson expressed.
In addition to his apology, Patterson also offered his prayers and thoughts to the victims who lost their lives in Newtown on Friday.
(Photo: AP)
I think it is sad that this young man blew a oppurtunity. I don’t expect him to change his views on race for that belief is his right-however he has got to learn when and where to speak. Why can’t folk understand that web communication is a form of documenting???? When do folk –ow up and stop being so selfish ????
TJ is right. He meant what he said. Why do these crazy white boys apologize for writing, twitting, facebooking, or even emailing for expressing what they meant. Their apologies fall on deaf ears as far as I’m concerned.
Hooray! for the UNC president–he took a firm stand.
It is disgusting having to listen to the total disrespect visited on our President. Do Americans understand the grandeur/solemn importance of the office? Even today, as the President was giving the address concerning the horrific deaths of the Connecticut school chilodren, the last reporter that he called for questions, asked him “……and where have you been” –you should have heard his tone! I hope he gets fired, or at least not let back into the WH again.
Sum ppl wanna over look it like they do everything else here n Ala. I’m sure plenty more was feeln the same as him but they know u dnt say everything ure thinkn. Guess he’ll learn that lesson now.
His true feeling came out and yes he is racist. He is sorry because he got caught. There are to many more like him in Amerca. You will not be missed…
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Agreed…he’s only sorry because he got caught! But credit the coach for making a statement with such a move so quickly because he could’ve done like many others and looked the other way.
This seems heart felt and maybe a teachable moment. Make him run the stairs and give him another chance
He’s only sorry cause he got caught!
He meant what he said. He just didn’t think it would ruin his future.