Dominic Raiola has owned up to the insensitive remarks he made toward the University of Wisconsin marching band Sunday at Lambeau Field.
The Detroit Lions center issued a public apology Tuesday and made a "significant" monetary contribution to the Marching Band Fund, according to the Lions' official website.
"My interaction with the Wisconsin Marching Band was inappropriate," Raiola said in a statement. "I apologize to those I offended along with all of the members of Wisconsin's Marching Band. I also apologize to the Lions' organization and my teammates.
"I understand the standards to which we should conduct ourselves, and my actions Sunday fell dramatically short of those standards."
Before we give Raiola credit for seeing the error of his ways, keep in mind that the Lions likely forced the veteran into action. Asked about the incident a day earlier, Raiola said the situation was blown out of proportion and added, "We've got more important things to worry about right now."
Apparently not.
"Due to Dominic's sincere and appropriate response, there will be no additional disciplinary action by the team," team president Tom Lewand said in his own statement. "We are also pleased that he is supporting his apology with a significant donation to the Wisconsin Marching Band Fund."
According to eyewitnesses, Raiola spent part of his pregame routine before Sunday's loss to the Packers going after The Wisconsin Band, which was at Lambeau Field for its annual performance at the storied stadium. Raiola allegedly taunted several band members for being overweight, questioned the sexuality of at least one band member, said the band "sucked" and used a highly derogatory term toward a female member of the group.
Raiola sounds like a high school bully who never grew up. Consider his "sincere and appropriate response" the direct result of a trip to the principal's office.
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