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Yancy Gates issued a tearful apology Monday for his role in the now-famous Cincinnati-Xavier brawl, and the future of the game itself is in doubt.
“I want to apologize, really, to the whole city of Cincinnati, for my actions,” Gates, 22, said in reference to his cold-cocking of Xavier center Kenny Frease. “The actions that I displayed are not what I’m about, not what the University of Cincinnati is about.”
With his eyes full of tears, he added: “I’m just not that type of person. A lot of people have been calling me a thug, a gangster.”
Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin said the four suspended players, including Gates (six games), would have to earn their way back on the team.
“Nobody should represent a university, any university, on a scholarship and not realize it’s a privilege,” Cronin said. “No one will take the floor for me if they don’t understand that. They will believe it’s a privilege. If we failed at all — as coaches, as administrators — it’s that our kids aren’t getting that message enough.”
Cronin and Bearcats AD Whit Babcock said no decision had been made on the future of the game, but Cronin said he wouldn’t mind seeing the series ended.
“If it can’t be played the right way, it doesn’t need to be played,” Cronin said.
