LSU coach Ed Orgeron spoke to his players privately earlier this week before making the following statement to Sports Illustrated on Tuesday:
“My players and former players are hurting, and they let me know they’re hurting. When they’re hurting, it hurts me. I love all my players like they were my own. I know some are hurting right now, and I totally support them. I will not tolerate racism, and they know it.
“I told them my feelings, which stays in house, but they know I will not tolerate racism. Everybody has a right to voice their opinion. We’re not going to stop that. I told them to be careful.
“I have seen the incident. I think it’s terrible. I just want the players and former players to know I’m there to support them.”
“My players and former players are hurting, and they let me know they’re hurting. When they’re hurting, it hurts me. I love all my players like they were my own. I know some are hurting right now, and I totally support them. I will not tolerate racism, and they know it.
“I told them my feelings, which stays in house, but they know I will not tolerate racism. Everybody has a right to voice their opinion. We’re not going to stop that. I told them to be careful.
“I have seen the incident. I think it’s terrible. I just want the players and former players to know I’m there to support them.”
