FSU receiver apologizes, supports Norvell
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida State wide receiver Warren Thompson has put any issues with the Seminoles to rest.
Three days after the sophomore issued a statement Thursday that called FSU'S leadership into question for deceiving members of the football program about the health of teammates, Thompson put out another statement on social media Sunday night.
This one put in a much more positive light how FSU is handling practicing and preparing for the season during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Playing football with Florida State University, my coaching staff and my teammates is exactly what I want to do," Thompson's new statement begins.
"With all the fear in the world, the confusion and concerns regarding this matter may cloud judgment on this arising problem in this country. My apologies on comments earlier this week that did not accurately depict my feelings towards this program and its leadership.
"Today I am grateful for the diligent efforts from myself and Coach (Mike) Norvell to move forward. I am hopeful that this will be a great season of Seminole football. I am also confident in Coach Norvell and the future ahead of us."
Thompson's initial statement brought national media attention and was echoed by a few of his teammates.
Far more FSU players, though, backed Norvell, his staff and the entire FSU athletics staff for the safe environment they've helped create within the program.
It's the second such incident for Norvell since arriving in December. Standout defensive tackle Marvin Wilson called Norvell into question in June for misrepresenting a group text he sent to the entire team about the importance of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Norvell apologized for misspeaking, and Wilson used the moment to help bring major changes within the program with regard to the outreach it'll have in the community.
Kedarian Jones understands some of the challenges players have had with Norvell.
The wide receiver signed with Memphis as a part of the Tigers' 2015 recruiting class. After redshirting in his first season, Norvell took over the program ahead of the 2016 season after Justin Fuente was named coach at Virginia Tech.
"As a new guy coming in when you're used to doing one thing one way and you're told to switch it up and do something another way, it comes off as, 'Ah, this guy is trying to come in and take over and do everything this way, not our way,' "Jones told The Tallahassee Democrat.
"Everybody's got a problem, and I can say that it's not that. But at the time, yeah, I can say there were some disagreements, even myself personally. Me and Norvell didn't start off the best, but growing and understanding the bigger picture of things, it really made sense."