Riley Cooper, who made a racial slur in a video that emerged this week, will be excused from the Philadelphia Eagles training cam to focus on counseling.
“The last few days have been incredibly difficult for me,” Cooper said in a statement on the team’s website on Friday. “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.”
In the YouTube video, Cooper said that he would “fight every [N-word] here.” He made the comment while he was at a Kenny Chesney concert.
Cooper later said that he was drinking when he made the slur, according to reports.
“As we have said, Riley Cooper will be seeking counseling and we have excused him from all team activities,” the Eagles said in the statement. “This is all new territory and we are going to evaluate this timetable every step of the way. He will meet with professionals provided by the Eagles during this period of time to better help him understand how his words have hurt so many, including his teammates.”
On Thursday, Cooper practiced with the team but he appeared to be alone and isolated on the field between the repetitions.
“Right now, I think it’s important for me to take some time to reflect on this situation,” Cooper said in the statement. “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.
He continued: “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.”
Coach Chip Kelly on Friday said that the team would not let Cooper go.
“We care about Riley ... we’re not going to just kick him to the street,” Kelly said, according to USA Today.
