Colorado State University (CSU) coach
Greg Lupfer has been suspended over an anti-gay slur.
Video broadcast by ESPN shows Lupfer,
the team's defensive line coach, yelling an anti-gay slur at
Washington State University quarterback Connor Halliday after
Halliday scored a touchdown during Saturday's Gildan New Mexico Bowl.
“Fuck you, you fucking faggot,” it
appears Lupfer hurled at Halliday.
Lupfer has been suspended without pay
for two weeks and ordered to undergo diversity training over the
outburst.
“I accept these consequences – two
weeks without pay and the training programs – and I am thankful for
this second chance to continue coaching at Colorado State and be a
part of the Ram family,” Lupfer is quoted as saying by the
Coloradoan.
“I am deeply sorry for my behavior, which does not represent who I
am or my values. I embrace the opportunity to participate in anger
management and diversity sensitivity training. I was angry and
careless with my words, and my words hurt many people. I sincerely
apologize to the GLBTQ community for causing pain by using a slur
without considering its meaning. I take ownership of my words and
fully understand why people are very upset.”
Matt Stephens, a sports columnists who
covers CSU, had called for Lupfer to be fired.
“Read my lips: Fire Greg Lupfer,”
he wrote on Sunday.
“Don't slap him with a fine, suspend
him, issue an apology and then call it a day. The firestorm raining
down on CSU all because of some ignorant choice words form the Rams'
defensive line coach isn't going to be extinguished overnight,”
Stephens
wrote.