TCU's Patterson sorry for repeating racial slur to player

Updated Aug. 4, 2020 11:41 a.m. ET

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FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — TCU football coach Gary Patterson apologized for himself Tuesday for repeating a racial slur when telling a player to stop using the slur in team meetings.

school Chancellor Victor Boschini said the nearly 20-year leader of TCU's program, who is white, had apologized for using the slur during a confrontation with linebacker Dylan Jordan, who is Black, at practice.

“I apologize for the use of a word that, in any context, is unacceptable,” Patterson wrote on Twitter. “I have always encouraged our players to do better and be better and I must live by the same standards.”

Patterson confirmed what senior center , on Twitter: that the coach met with seniors and the team's leadership council a day after the testy exchange with Jordan. Hollins indicated the issue had been addressed.

“Our players, past and present have always been the strength of our program,” Patterson wrote. “These men are and always will be my motivation and driving force.”

Patterson’s use of the slur first arose in a since-deleted tweet from former defensive back Niko Small, who accused the coach of using the word in front of the team. Several players wrote on Twitter that Small didn’t include the context of Patterson’s use of the word. Players said the incident also led to several team members skipping practice Monday.

during practice Sunday. Jordan said Patterson took issue with the player using the slur in meetings and used the word himself. Jordan said he confirmed with several teammates Monday that Patterson had used the word, and they stayed away from practice as a result.

The 60-year-old Patterson is TCU’s all-time leader in wins, with a record of 172-70. He led the Horned Frogs to their only undefeated season in the past 81 years in 2010, capped by a Rose Bowl win over Wisconsin.

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