Give Antonio Morrison credit. At least he tried to apologize.
The sophomore middle linebacker walked into what he thought was a room full of blood-sucking reporters and sat down at a gray plastic table covered in iPhones, microphones and digital recorders.
Unfortunately, Morrison must’ve thought he was in the beginning scene of “Jaws” with the blonde model swimming to her death in open water, and then suddenly gasping for air before movie magic pulled her under.
It was a lose-lose situation for Morrison, but at least the focus turns from punching bouncers and inciting police dogs to barking play calls on the football field.
He opened his surprising seven-and-a-half minute media session with an apology to his coaches, teammates and everybody that was involved. Morrison continued to apologize throughout the barrage of questions, but a defiant expression drowned out his sincerity.
Morrison looked how I did as a 10-year-old at piano practice. He just didn’t want to be there.
His defensive answers turned more and more indignant as the questions piled up.
I can’t blame him, but he missed out on a golden opportunity to truly put his forgettable summer behind him.
When asked if he deserved the suspension, Morrison responded, “I ain’t talking about that.”
He should have said something like, “Yes, I did deserve a punishment for my actions and understand that with my actions come consequences. I regret the decisions I have made and look forward to moving on and playing football again.”
He’ll have another shot to apologize come Sept. 7 against Miami. That’s usually how apologies work in sports, right?
Take Tiger Woods. Golf’s poster boy, a revealed serial cheater, turned poster boy again recovered from a choreographed apology in 2010 that made Woods look like an emotionless cyborg.
Or LeBron James. An entire city shunned its shining star after he burned them for the Miami Heat in an hour-long special that culminated with 14 words announcing where he would take his incredible talents. Sorry Cleveland, NBA fans turned their hate to adulation after two championships and continued excellence on the court.
Or Andy Pettitte. In 2007, the New York Yankees left-hander admitted to HGH use to recover from an elbow injury five years earlier during a tearful press conference. He’s still the respected player that helped bring the Yankees five World Series titles.
Maybe Morrison should’ve watched the apology now etched outside the Swamp before addressing reporters. Tim Tebow freaking cried after losing a football game to Ole Miss.
That speech is as heartfelt of an apology as I’ve ever seen and has become entrenched in local lore with Tebow carrying the Gators to a national title.
There was no chance Morrison was going to shed any tears on Thursday. He just doesn’t seem like the emotional type to outsiders or blood-sucking reporters.
His response to what was the worst part for him during his ordeals provided the most telling sound byte.
“Worst part was being away from my teammates and not being around football,” Morrison said. “I mean, what else am I supposed to do?”
Here’s hoping that Morrison stays on the right side of the tracks this time around. One more slip up and he’ll probably get a one-way ticket out of Gainesville instead of another chance to apologize.
For the time being, his play on the field will have to do. I’ll give Morrison the benefit of the doubt this time though. Perhaps he’s just bad at apologizing.
Follow Adam Pincus on Twitter @adamDpincus.
Sophomore linebacker Antonio Morrison speaks at a press conference Wednesday afternoon. Morrison was originally suspended for two games, but coach Will Muschamp announced on Monday that he reduced the suspension to only one game.
