The assistant football coach at Oklahoma University resigned Sunday after he allegedly read a racist word on a player’s iPad aloud.
Cale Gundy posted a letter to Twitter announcing his resignation after he reportedly read “one word” he should have “never uttered.”
“Today, with great anguish, I announce my resignation,” Gundy began. “I owe it to Sooner Nation to be transparent about what led to this decision: Last week, during a film session, I instructed my players to take notes. I noticed a player was distracted and picked up his iPad to read aloud the words that were written on his screen. The words displayed had nothing to do with football.”
“One particular word that I should never — under any circumstance — have uttered was displayed on that screen. In the moment, I did not even realize what I was reading and, as soon as I did, I was horrified.” (RELATED: Diontae Johnson And Steelers Agree On Contract Extension Worth Up To $39.5 Million)
Sooner Nation, thank you. pic.twitter.com/BYBOjObGna
— Cale Gundy (@OU_CoachGundy) August 8, 2022
“I want to be very clear, the words I read aloud from that screen were not my words. What I said was not malicious; it wasn’t even intentional. Still, I am mature enough to know that the word I said was shameful and hurtful, no matter my intentions.”
Gundy said he “accepts accountability” and takes “responsibility” for the incident and deeply regrets what transpired.
Head coach Brent Venables said he accepted Gundy’s resignation with “sadness.”
“We also acknowledge that in stepping aside he’s placed the program and the welfare of our student-athletes first.”
Running back for the Cincinnati Bengals, Joe Mixon, praised Gundy in a statement and denied any allegations that Gundy is racist.
“Coach Gundy is everything OU and any institution would want in a coach, teacher, and mentor,” Mixon said. “Coach Gundy is not, and I repeat is not a racist in any way nor has a racist bone in his body, mind, or soul. I grew up in the Bay Area and went to school obviously in Oklahoma. I know racists, I have witnessed both obvious and discreet forms of racism and have known and detested even more actual racist. Coach Gundy is the farthest thing from this type of person.”
Sooner Nation This Ain’t Right‼️ @OU_Football pic.twitter.com/2WoKGrxcXX
— ⚡️Primetime!!!⚡️ (@Joe_MainMixon) August 8, 2022
“He is a father figure, a mentor, coach, and best friend to me,” Mixon added, saying he hopes Gundy can be given a second chance.
L’Damian Washington will step up into Gundy’s position on an interim basis, Venables said.