Redskins VP Williams apologizes after Foster comments

Washington Redskins vice president Doug Williams apologized Friday for comments he made regarding Reuben Foster, days after the team claimed the linebacker off waivers following his arrest on domestic violence charges.

The San Francisco 49ers released Foster on Sunday, a day after Foster's arrest in Tampa, Fla. The Redskins claimed Foster on Tuesday, and Williams has subsequently taken heat for his words justifying the team's decision, including this comment:

"We got people who are in high, high, high, high places that have done far worse, if you look at it realistically," Williams said Thursday during his weekly radio appearance on The Team 980. "And they're still up there. This is small potatoes [compared to] a lot of things out there. But at the same time, it's a big issue in America today, whether or not it's in football, whether or not it's in everyday life, whether or not it's in politics, it's out there."

On Friday, he read an 80-second statement and didn't take questions.

"I want to apologize to the organization, my wife, my mom, my sisters and the six daughters that I have. The last night or so has been really tough on me from an emotional standpoint because never in my life have I said anything so insensitive as I've said. I'm not going to sit here and make excuses, because there is no excuse.

"There's not a lot to say to more than the fact that if you know me, you would understand. Growing up, I understand the climate and what's going on and for me to make comments like I did, I just want to apologize to anybody out there within earshot, especially the ladies of this area, across the country. Like I said, I've got six daughters and there's no way I would tolerate anything like that. So, for me to just say something like that, I just wanted to apologize."

The Redskins' statement Tuesday said there was no guarantee that Foster will ever play for the team and added that the matter would be investigated further.

"The Redskins fully understand the severity of the recent allegations made against Reuben. If true, you can be sure these allegations are nothing our organization would ever condone," Williams said then.

Foster, 24, has been placed on the commissioner's exempt list, meaning he can't play or practice with the Redskins until further notice. He has a history of legal difficulties.

A second-degree charge of marijuana possession stemming from an arrest in Alabama in January was dismissed when he finished a first-time offender program. In February, he faced several felonies, including domestic violence, making criminal threats and weapons possession. Those charges stemmed from his ex-girlfriend's accusation that he assaulted her in his home in Los Gatos, just south of San Jose, Calif.

When the woman recanted her allegations, only the weapons charge remained, and Foster pleaded no contest to misdemeanor weapons possession.

Foster was sentenced in July to two years' probation, 232 hours of community service and $235 in fines.

The NFL suspended Foster for the first two games this season, citing the league's conduct and substance-abuse standards.

--Field Level Media

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)