TCU’s Patterson sorry for repeating slur
TCU football coach Gary Patterson apologized for himself Tuesday for repeating a racial slur when telling a player to stop using the slur in team meetings.
Patterson’s tweet came a day after school Chancellor Victor Boschini said the nearly 20-year leader of TCU’s program, who’s white, had apologized for using the slur during a confrontation with linebacker Dylan Jordan, who’s Black, at practice.
“I apologize for the use of a word that, in any context, is unacceptable,” Patterson wrote on Twitter. “I have always encouraged our players to do better and be better and I must live by the same standards.”
Patterson confirmed what senior center Kellton Hollins had already posted on Twitter: that the coach met with seniors and the team’s leadership council a day after the testy exchange with Jordan. Hollins indicated the issue had been addressed.
“Our players, past and present have always been the strength of our program,” Patterson wrote. “These men are and always will be my motivation and driving force.”
Patterson’s use of the slur first arose in a sincedeleted tweet from former defensive back Niko Small, who accused the coach of using the word in front of the team. Several players wrote on Twitter that Small didn’t include the context of Patterson’s use of the word. Players said the incident also led to several team members skipping practice Monday.
In a lengthy post, Jordan described a confrontation with Patterson during practice Sunday. Jordan said Patterson took issue with the player using the slur in meetings and used the word himself. Jordan said he confirmed with several teammates Monday that Patterson had used the word, and they stayed away from practice as a result.
The 60-year-old Patterson is TCU’s all-time leader in wins.
NBA: Luka Doncic punctuated a triple-double by making the tiebreaking shot with 1:57 left in OT on Tuesday and leading th Mavericks past the Kings 114-110. Doncic was sensational, finishing with 34 points, a career-high 20 rebounds and 12 assists. It was the Mavs’ first victory since arriving at Walt Disney World and allowed them to remain the only NBA to avoid three straight losses this season. ... Devin Booker made a turnaround jumper over Paul George as time expired, capping a 35-point performance and giving the Suns a 117-115 victory over the Clippers. The Suns improved to 3-0 in the bubble as they chase a playoff spot.
NFL: The Lions removed QB Matthew Stafford from the COVID-IR list, saying he received a false positive test result . ... The trade that sent DT P.J. Hall from the Raiders to the Vikings for a conditional draft pick was negated after Hall failed a physical.