For the first time since the Super Bowl, Seahawks WR Doug Baldwin publicly apologized Monday night for the vulgar gesture that drew a 15-yard personal foul penalty and criticism from some fans and media.
“I do regret the fact that it cost my team 15 yards and to the fans, ultimately I apologize to anybody I offended in any way,” said Baldwin on the 710 ESPN Seattle radio show, The Barber Shop. “It wasn’t about that. I just think it was a competitive situation. So to all the 12s, all the fans, that’s not what it’s about. So I apologize to anyone if I offended you.”
Baldwin scored a touchdown in the third quarter on a three-yard pass reception — his only catch of the game — and then mimed squatting on a toilet in the end zone. Until Monday, he refused to disclose the target of the gesture, but allowed as to how it was New England’s All-Pro CB Darrelle Revis.
“In that moment it was just a reaction,” Baldwin said. “So obviously if I could go back, I would take it back.
“I spent a lot of time those two weeks prior to getting ready for that game just focused on my individual match-up with him. I put a lot into it and in that moment, I guess you could say it was just kind of a built-up frustration I was letting out in that sequence between him and I. Obviously, there was competitive stuff going on in that game and in that moment I just let out what I felt personally.”
Baldwin added he was frustrated about not getting more balls in his direction, saying the matchup against Revis was “a measurement for myself to go up against one of the best players in the league.”
Baldwin said he thought some of the anger directed at him was misplaced because of the loss: “(Fans) want to find something to kind of latch on to, and that’s understandable. It’s human nature. But personally I didn’t mean anything by it. ”
The day after the loss in the locker room at the team’s practice facility, Baldwin wasn’t ready to apologize, saying he had no regrets.
“Nah, just out there having fun — there’s no explanation,” he said. “I can get criticized. That’s fine; everyone has an opinion. In the moment, just having fun.
“The only people I have to apologize to are my teammates and coaches. But they know. They didn’t say anything. Not even an issue or a worry. We lost the game . . . there’s so many other things to be concerned with . . (than) something stupid like that.”
22 Comments
I wasn’t offended as opposed to being disappointed. He’s supposed to be a professional. Act like it. And was it worth a 15 yard penalty in the Super Bowl? Considering the closeness of the game, the number of injuries on the team and how time was winding down there really wasn’t time for that.
You make a point that Doug missed in his apology. I doubt many were offended as much as disappointed.
I think he chose his words carefully. He doesn’t seem to regret the action itself. Be interesting to see if he has that same train of thought when he’s in his 40s. He’s young and plays with a chip on his shoulder which has served him well.
I’m not thrilled with the apology phrase, ” . . . if I offended you.” That puts on the onus on the listener to justify a standard. He’s not accepting that the act was wrong on its own.
Baldwin’s act is getting to the point where his “Angry Doug” routine makes me wish that he’d just go away. 89 should act more like 80. Largent didn’t get the respect he deserved but things ended up OK I’d say.
He doesn’t deserve to be fired, particularly after he swallowed his pride and admitted he was wrong.
Just think we could have been treated to a double deuce. No thanks.
I’m guessing treat time has passed for Doug.
Without ever having met the guy, Doug Baldwin seems like a pretty intelligent and sensitive dude. It’s clear he’s thought about the PR backlash he’s been receiving. But man… I’m reading these posts and I’m thinking “Jeez, guys… Is that what he gets for saying he’s sorry?”
I get that his end zone display lands firmly in the WTF category, and I didn’t care much for his post conf. campionship media rant either. But overall, I think Baldwin has conducted himself as a pretty exceptional young man throughout his career.
The overall tone of Art’s report read pretty unforgiving to me (e.g. re-running Baldwin’s quotes from the day after the loss at the end of the piece). Granted, Art must know these guys a lot better than we typical sports fans. But still… when a guy comes forward to apologize (many do not), I think it’s classless to keep beating him up.
We’re better 12s than that.
Speak for yourself, please. Baldwin’s schtick has long run its course.
He needs to grow up or go away.
He’s growing up.
My earlier column on Baldwin was before his radio apology, and after I was part of a group interview with him at the VMAC in which he was asked if he had any regrets. He said no. So I called him out, based on the end zone squat as well as media confrontations. Especially for the hypocrisy of saying he doesn’t care what outsiders think, then acting very much like he does.
I am not among those who are still beating him up. I think the apology was helpful and sufficient. Doug is a smart guy, a big asset to the team and has, as they say in human resources, an anger management problem.
Angry Doug Baldwin’s
Been loathe to repeat
Weird motivations
He needs to compete.
But something he’s missed
While acting so pissed:
He’s losing respect
From the fan on the street.
I’m sure you have inspired him.
Glad you apologized, Doug, we like ya, even angry, but you have to do it with class . . .
I think most fans would agree.
Back when the Seahakws were stumbling through their former regime Jim Mora was concerned about bringing in more “Dirtbags” he had a man crush on a receiver named TJ Houshmandzadeh.
Far as I know, he didn’t pull a Harvin, so some slack is available.
one catch for 3 yards, and he does that. He is supposed to be our best receiver. It takes him 2 weeks to apologize? I am over him.
I get that, but slamming the door permanently can make it hard to accept a game-winning touchdown catch this fall.
And with that simple apology, Dookygate is now behind us.
it’s ok, Dump, we forgive you.