Riley Cooper gave what seemed like a heartfelt apology at a press conference today for using the N-word at a Kenny Chesney concert in June. In a video that surfaced yesterday, Cooper is caught on tape saying, "I will jump that fence and fight every (N-word) here, bro." He first apologized via Twitter yesterday.
I am so ashamed and disgusted with myself. I want to apologize. I have been offensive. I have apologized to my coach, Jeffrey Lurie, and
— Riley Cooper (@RileyCooper_14) July 31, 2013
Allegedly he’d been drinking (which he acknowledges is "no excuse"), and became frustrated when an African-American security guard would not let him go backstage. When asked if he frequently uses the N-word, he said he did not because he was, "raised way better than that," and added that his parents were "disgusted with his actions." He says the Eagles heavily fined him, but the NFL says it will not take further action.
In the wake of Paula Deen’s dramatic fall from grace after her own racist behavior emerged, it seems apologies for using racial slurs are coming rather swiftly.