Wide receiver Riley Cooper returned to the Eagles on Tuesday, four days after he took an excused absence to seek counseling following a video that surfaced online last week showing Cooper yelling a racial slur. Cooper visited his family's home in
Florida during his absence, which began Friday and included only three missed practices.
He spoke to Eagles coach Chip Kelly on Monday night and told Kelly he was ready to return. The two met Tuesday morning. By the time Cooper practiced in the afternoon, he said, he had met with every teammate. "I told them, 'I don't want you to forgive me because that puts the burden on you,' " Cooper said. "I want it all on me.
I told them that, and I told them I apologize. They could tell it's from the heart. They know I'm not that type of person." Cooper said the counseling consisted of talking about the situation and the gravity of his words. He discussed how many people he hurt, including families and children. Alcohol was not discussed in the meetings. He called the few days he was gone a "tough, tough ride."
He was fined by the team after the video went public. Kelly reiterated that Cooper was on an excused absence - not a suspension - and that the 25-year-old receiver did not need to prove anything before he could return. Once Cooper decided that he was ready, Kelly welcomed him back. The coach met with him first on Tuesday morning.
Florida during his absence, which began Friday and included only three missed practices.
I told them that, and I told them I apologize. They could tell it's from the heart. They know I'm not that type of person." Cooper said the counseling consisted of talking about the situation and the gravity of his words. He discussed how many people he hurt, including families and children. Alcohol was not discussed in the meetings. He called the few days he was gone a "tough, tough ride."
He was fined by the team after the video went public. Kelly reiterated that Cooper was on an excused absence - not a suspension - and that the 25-year-old receiver did not need to prove anything before he could return. Once Cooper decided that he was ready, Kelly welcomed him back. The coach met with him first on Tuesday morning.
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