Buffalo Bills incoming rookie quarterback Jake Fromm is apologizing for the revelation of racist text messages he sent last year, which were leaked this week, when the timing could not be any worse.
Fromm, a 21-year-old standout quarterback at Georgia, was selected by the Bills in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft after three years with the Bulldogs, tossing the fourth-most passing yards in the SEC in 2019. Sliding down the draft board, the Bills took a flyer on the Georgia native.
Fromm wrote in his apology (via Pro Football Talk):
“I am extremely sorry that I chose to use the words ‘elite white people’ in a text message conversation. Although I never meant to imply that I am an ‘elite white person,’ as stated later in the conversation, there’s no excuse for that word choice and sentiment. While it was poor, my heart is not. Now, more than ever, is the time for support and togetherness and I stand against racism 100%. I promise to commit myself to being a part of the solution in this country. I addressed my teammates and coaches in a team meeting today and I hope they see this incident is not representative of the person I am. Again, I’m truly sorry for my words and actions and humbly ask for forgiveness.”
Fromm references how he mentioned only “elite white people,” in his words, deserve to own firearms in the country. This was an obvious implication at preventing constitutional rights for disenfranchised people of color in the U.S. along with a strong racial bias that has prevented the equality of and justice for African Americans.
This has been an especially sore moment for Fromm and the U.S. given the week-and-counting stretch of protests and demonstrations by activists and citizens demanding justice for Minneapolis African-American man George Floyd and so many other victims of police brutality and white supremacy.
Just yesterday, New Orleans Saints star quarterback Drew Brees shared insensitive remarks regarding the right to protest and claiming the military as an excuse to discourage teammates and NFL players from kneeling during the National Anthem again. Brees apologized for his comments on Thursday morning after an outpouring of criticism from his teammates, fans and other professional athletes.
For Fromm, the Bills first-year signal-caller can't excuse his past behavior and the text message revelation as just a “rookie mistake,” something attributed to many players entering the professional league.
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