The Eagles owner has made it very clear where the Eagles stand and if there wasn't a clear message in there about how they view this statement - then the person would have to be from another planet to miss it. I think they have handled this very well. Where it gets messed up and lingers is when a team doesn't come right out and denounce this statement. I also hope that the Eagles included the tail gate issues and on stage bizarre actions as part of their concern as some of the stuff from fans around that city suggest he's been a bit over the top in how he interacts with others in drinking situations.
Eagles owner Jeff Lurie, who once tried to buy the Patriots, watched practice Thursday at the NovaCare Complex and later issued a statement, expressing his personal disgust with Cooper’s behavior:
“I want to make this clear: The words Riley Cooper used were totally unacceptable. His words may have been directed at one person but they hurt everyone. Riley has apologized to the team and community and has made a personal commitment to work hard to try and gain their trust and earn his position on the team.”
The HC has done the right thing and has not led the public talk.
In fact they sent Cooper outside the day it blew up on the internet and told him to tell the media what they told them.
I gave this guy a lot of credit for his walking outside with no agent providing the wording or it coming out the next day after it was carefully crafted. It sounds like he is a from a good family situation as again in this story he speaks of the shame he feels and how hard it is for his parents to deal with.
Either he is very good public talker and knows what touchstones to hit or he is aware of the trajectory his behaviour is on and not just the offensive wording. Let's hope so. I am impressed by his statements as for me they show genuine awareness of his actions and honest contrition - that doesn't reek of 'I'm sorry I got caught' kind of thinking.
I hope they are just keeping it private that they also told him to get help on the alcohol issue too.
There will NOT be a 100% love in for him within the team as in a group that large it is like every workplace - not all going to be great buddies and some will really not be easily forgiving. Players don't like to see guys act as he did on the stage as the older guys have families and pride too and they don't like to be identified with idiots. I did like his statement that he was not asking for forgiveness - and basically put it out there as a challenge to himself to prove he's not like that.
It is not always that these teams identify these behaviour patterns that lead to killings and crime and that is sad.
It is clear that the Eagles had no choice in the matter as that city has a huge black population as does this team. It should be a good study case though for future situations. Make the player face the music on his own.
). They'll hold little water for me because Rodgers has got to do a lot and shoulders a lot as an NFL starter. The fact that other guy (I made a deal in the previous NFL thread not to mention his name anymore ala Parcells T.O. references as 'the player'). Rodgers went into a tough situation a few years ago and got a ring out of it, so he's got my respect.
