Special to the Herald-Banner
The Commerce Journal
COMMERCE — Texas A&M University-Commerce football coach Guy Morriss apologized to the university and to the editor of the East Texan for the behavior of his team, and his quoted statements.
"I do not condone theft or any criminal offense on the part of me, my staff, or the members of my team," Morriss said. "The comments I made regarding the removal of the school newspapers as a 'team building exercise' were made facetiously, not to be taken seriously or literally."
Members of the football team were alleged to have stolen copies of the newspaper from racks across campus on the morning of Feb. 25. The newspaper that morning included a front page story concerning how two members of the football team had been arrested by the University Police Department on campus for possession of marijuana.
A&M-Commerce President Dr. Dan Jones has since said that the evidence gathered was “insufficient to prosecute” and the university police department has closed the case.
According to Athletic Director Carlton Cooper, the football program has offered to pay for the reprint of the missing edition of the East Texan, with players and coaches distributing it to the campus newsstands.
"I am appreciative and sincerely grateful for the support of President Dan Jones and members of the administration who know me personally, and know the true content of my character," Morriss said. "I apologize for making light of actions that showed a lapse in judgment. For that I am truly remorseful."
