FAYETTEVILLE - Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema apologized Friday for comments he made Thursday evening connecting the death of California football player Ted Agu with his concern for player safety as it relates to a proposed rule change in college football.
Bielema issued a statement Friday evening which read, in part: “It was brought to my attention thatremarks I made yesterday evening while discussing a proposed rule change were unintentionally hurtful. I am very passionate,as we all are, about the serious nature of protecting the well-being of student-athletes. … In my press conference last night, I referenced information about the tragic loss of life of a student-athlete.
“My comments were intended to bring awareness to player safety and instead they have caused unintended hurt. As a head coach who works with young individuals every day, the passing of Ted Agu is a reminder to us all how short and precious life is. I would like to extend my deepest condolences and sympathy to the Agu family, Coach Sonny Dykes and to the University of California family.”
Bielema made his comments Thursday prior to a speaking engagement at the White County Razorback Club in Searcy. Bielema expressed his support for a proposal by the NCAA Football Rules Committee that would require offenses to allow 10 seconds to run off the play clock so defenses have a chance to make substitutions before the ball is snapped.
Bielema referenced the death of Agu - who died Feb. 7 during an off season conditioning workout - while trying to explain the risk players who have sickle cell anemia face while playing football.
Asked if he knew of any evidence that connected football’s fast-paced offenses with an increased risk for injury, Bielema replied: “Death certificates. There’s not anymore I need than that.”
California Athletic Director Sandy Barbour criticized Bielema on Friday in a message posted on her Twitter account.
“Bret Bielema’s comments about our Ted Agu are misinformed, ill-advised and beyond insensitive,” the post read. “Using the tragic loss of one of our student-athletes as a platform to further a personal agenda in a public setting is beyond inappropriate.”
Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long posted a link to Bielema’s statement and addressed the issue as well with a series of posts on Twitter.
“Appreciate @BretBielema clarification today of the intended purpose of his remarks,” Long’s post read. “Losses like Ted Agu are painful and incomprehensible.
“Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the Agu family and Univ of California family.
“Working with Coach Bielema day in and day out, I’ve seen his sincere passion for the well-being of our student-athletes.”
Sports, Pages 19 on 02/22/2014