Riley Cooper, Eagles Wide Receiver, Apologizes For Using N-Word

by UInterviewAugust 1, 2013, 12:00 amNews >

Riley Cooper, a wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles, issued an apology for using a racial slur while attending a Kenny Chesney concert.

"This is the lowest of lows," said Cooper, who is going into his fourth season with the Eagles. "This is not the type of person I want to be portrayed as. This isn't the type of person I am. I'm extremely sorry." The athlete went onto admit that he was drinking during the June incident and had directed the racial epithet at an African-American security guard who wouldn’t let him pass.

"That's no excuse for what I said,” Cooper asserted. I don't use that term. I was raised better than that. I have a great mom and dad and they're disgusted with my actions.” The contrite athlete then added, "I'm willing to accept all consequences. I know no one in Philadelphia is happy with me right now. I accept that. I hope they see the true me and accept my apology. I know it will take a while."

The damning video of Cooper using the n-word surfaced on Wednesday on CrossingBroad.com. Wearing a cut-off flannel shirt and his hair in a low ponytail, Cooper can be seen in the video pointing his finger in people’s faces. He’s then heard saying, “I will jump that fence and fight every n—– here, bro.” Those with him then steered him away from the fence in question.

Eagles owner Jeff Lurie and the National Football League both admonished Cooper’s actions in statements. "We are shocked and appalled by Riley Cooper's words," Lurie said. "This sort of behavior or attitude from anyone has no role in a civil society. He has accepted responsibility for his words and his actions. He has been fined for this incident."

"The NFL stands for diversity and inclusion,” the league’s statement read. “Comments like this are wrong, offensive, and unacceptable."

Eagles quarterback Michael Vick claims to have accepted his teammate's apology. "As a team we understood because we all make mistakes in life and we all do and say things that maybe we do mean and maybe we don't mean," Vick said. "As a teammate, I forgave him.”

Cooper was drafted by the Eagles out of Florida in the fifth round of the 2010 draft. Since then, he’s made 46 receptions and five touchdowns. With Jeremy Maclin out with an ACL tear, it was presumed Cooper could take his spot in the squad’s starting lineup.

– Chelsea Regan

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