Rex Ryan sorry for gesture at MMA event
January 31, 2010
SUNRISE, Fla. (AP)—New York Jets coach Rex Ryan apologized Sunday for makingan obscene gesture at a mixed martial arts event.
Ryan was booed Saturday night while doing a TV interview at the MMA event inthe Bank Atlantic Center, the Florida Panthers’ home arena. He was smiling whencaught making the gesture by a cell phone camera.
“It was stupid and inappropriate,” Ryan said. “I wouldn’t accept thattype of behavior from one of the coaches or players and it’s unacceptable fromme. I apologize to the Jets organization, the National Football League and NFLfans everywhere.”
Ryan led the Jets to the AFC championship game after they went 9-7 duringthe season to earn a wild card in his first year as an NFL head coach. He madeheadlines with his confident statements, including saying the Jets should be thefavorite to win the Super Bowl when the playoffs began.
He previously had a verbal feud with Miami linebacker Channing Crowder(notes), anddeep in Dolphins territory, he was a likely target for boos.
Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum added the organization will address thematter internally.
“Rex showed extremely poor judgment and his conduct was inappropriate. Heknows he was wrong, has apologized and we have accepted his apology,”Tannenbaum said in a statement.
Ryan could be subject to a league fine under the NFL’s personal conductpolicy.