Packers WR Funchess apologizes for slur against Asians

Updated Aug. 8, 2021 3:06 p.m. ET

Associated Press

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Green Bay Packers wide receiver Devin Funchess has apologized for using a racial slur against Asians during a news conference on Saturday night.

“I want to apologize for the disparaging remark I used tonight,”

General manager Brian Gutekunst called Funchess' comment “very unacceptable” and added that it “certainly doesn't live up to the standards and values of the Green Bay Packers.”

“We’ve addressed it with Devin,” Gutekunst said Sunday. “He knows it’s unacceptable. I do think he’s sincerely remorseful and will hopefully learn from this. ... I do want to say that’s something that is not condoned and it’s certainly, it doesn’t live up to what we believe here with the Green Bay Packers."

Gutekunst was asked if the Packers considered releasing Funchess over the remark.

“Not at the moment,” Gutekunst said. “I think through the conversations that we’ve had, I think — and there’s going to be more — but I think that his apology was sincere. I think he made a mistake and (it) certainly can’t happen again.”

Funchess, 27, signed with the Packers in April 2020 but hasn’t played a down for them.

Funchess had 21 touchdown receptions for the Carolina Panthers from 2015-18. He signed with the Colts but fractured his collarbone in the 2019 season opener and missed the rest of the season.

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