Georgia Football Player Apologizes for Insensitive Comments Made During NFL Draft
Jamaal Jarrett, a freshman defensive tackle at Georgia, apologized for the racist comments he made as the Falcons made their first-round selection during the 2023 NFL draft in April.
In the first round of this year’s draft, Big Brothers Big Sisters Kansas City volunteer Christopher and mentee Shane joined commissioner Roger Goodell on stage to announce the Falcons’ selection at No. 8. Moments before the duo announced that Atlanta was selecting Texas running back Bijan Robinson, Jarrett yelled the phrase “Come on, you Asian” in reference to Shane during an Instagram Live video.
Jarrett, who was hoping that the Falcons would select his Georgia teammate Jalen Carter, tweeted an apology Wednesday evening, stating that he felt “ashamed” of his actions that “caused tremendous hurt and pain” in the AAPI community.
“I did not mean any hate or harm towards anyone,” Jarrett wrote in the statement. “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. 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.”
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Jarrett was a four-star recruit in the 2023 class before signing with the back-to-back reigning College Football Playoff national champions in December. He also participated in practices with the team this past spring.