Football player quits over late tackle

A college football player in Japan has apologized for intentionally injuring the quarterback of an opposing team with a late tackle, an incident that has riveted the country for several weeks.

In a news conference shown live on TV across the country Tuesday, Taisuke Miyagawa bowed deeply and said his coach told him to do it. But he said he should have been stronger and refused the order. The coach, Masato Uchida, quit following the May 6 game. “I deeply regret that I caused tremendous damage and inconvenience. I’m really sorry,” Miyagawa said.

He then bowed to a 90-degree angle and held it for several seconds, a sign of deep remorse. American football is not played widely in Japan, and the violent tackle with intent to injure has shocked many in a country famous for baseball and good manners. Miyagawa played for Nihon University and the incident took place against archrival Kwansei Gakuin University.

Japanese media report Kwansei Gakuin quarterback Kosei Okuno injured a knee and damaged ligaments near his spine. He needs several more weeks to recover. Miyagawa said he had been scolded by his coach for not performing well in recent games and practice. When the coach told him to “crush the opposing quarterback” on the first play, he took it literally. “I have no intention of continuing to play American football in the future,” Miyagawa said. “I don’t even know what I should do from now on.”