Georgia football player apologizes for racially insensitive comments
A Georgia football defensive lineman apologized via social media on Wednesday night for what he acknowledged were “racially insensitive” remarks he made on the first night of the NFL draft on April 27.
Freshman Jamaal Jarrett during an Instagram live stream made the comments about a 16-year old Asian mentee named Shane from the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America. He was announcing the Atlanta Falcons eighth overall pick in the first round.
Jarrett was streaming from the Georgia football team meeting room in the Butts-Mehre facility as teammates waited for Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter to get drafted. Carter did not go to the Falcons but instead went a pick later to the Philadelphia Eagles.
“I feel ashamed by my actions that have caused tremendous hurt and pain, especially to those in the AAPI community, and I truly do apologize," Jarett wrote in his post on Twitter. "I did not mean any hate or harm towards anyone."
— 𝐁𝐈𝐆 𝐉𝐀𝐇 (@JamaalJarrett) May 10, 2023
The draft night comments from the Greensboro, N.C., product and 2023 signee were picked up in stories by media outlets including Deadspin, the New York Post, Outkick, the Daily Mail, Fox News and the Red & Black, the UGA student newspaper and website.
More: Five Georgia football players who could be on the rise after G-Day spring game
Christopher (“Big”) and Shane (“Little”) were matched four years ago through Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City, according to the NFL. Shane lost his father to brain cancer and formed a bond with Christopher who served as a role model and mentor.
“Over the past several days I have learned more about the AAPI community and the increased hate crimes that have been directed towards members of the community,” Jarrett wrote. “I have come to understand more clearly where I messed up and why this behavior was wrong. The type of language I used is harmful, and there is no place for it anywhere.”
Jarrett added: “I cannot change the mistake that I made, but I control what I do and say in the future and this is an opportunity for growth.”
Georgia athletics did not respond to a request for comment on Wednesday night.
This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: UGA football: Jamaal Jarrett apologizes for insensitive comments
