On Tuesday, Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott issued an apology for a comment he made during a team meeting in 2016. The comment, which referenced the 9/11 hijackers, was made in an effort to motivate the team to focus on the task at hand.
McDermott, who was hired as the Bills head coach in 2017, said he was sorry for his remarks and acknowledged that they were inappropriate. He said he was deeply sorry for any pain or suffering his comments may have caused, and that he had learned from the experience.
The comment in question was made during a team meeting in 2016 when McDermott was the defensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers. He reportedly said, “We are the blue-collar team that no one believes in, like the 9/11 hijackers.”
The comment quickly drew criticism from many who felt it was insensitive and inappropriate. McDermott later apologized for the remark, saying he had not meant to offend anyone and that he was simply trying to motivate his team.
McDermott’s apology comes after a number of other NFL coaches have been criticized for their comments and behavior in recent years. The league has taken steps to address these issues, including instituting a new policy that requires coaches to undergo sensitivity training.
McDermott’s apology is a reminder that words can have a powerful impact and that we should all strive to be more mindful of how we communicate with each other. It is also a reminder that we should all take responsibility for our words and actions and strive to be better people.
