Bielema Apologizes, Sandy Barbour Explodes

((HT: ESPN/Arkansas Razorbacks))

Here's where it all started with Bret Bielema...


And it finally got to the point where Coach Bielema apologized (finally) for dragging the name of deceased Cal football player Ted Agu into the discussion that said, in part:

"In my press conference last night, I referenced information about the tragic loss of a life of a student-athlete. My comments were intended to bring awareness to player safety and instead they have caused unintended hurt. As a head coach who works with young individuals every day, the passing of Ted Agu is a reminder to us all how short and precious life is. I would like to extend my deepest condolences and sympathy to the Agu family, Coach Sonny Dykes and to the University of California family."

Cal AD Sandy Barbour responded in kind via her Twitter:

"Bret Bielema’s comments about our Ted Agu are misinformed, ill-advised and beyond insensitive.”

“Using the tragic loss of one of our student athletes as a platform to further a personal agenda in a public setting is beyond inappropriate.”

Bielema even went further in a ridiculous interview before the apology discussing why he brought Agu into the discussion...

From Sports Illustrated:

"The reason I brought up the Cal player is this: We all have sickle cell players. To me, it's the most scary individual thing we face. There are no signs. There are no indicators. You test every one of your players when they come in. And there are players who come in that have no idea they have it. Then you've got to call the parents, sit the kid down and talk to them what it means -- what the possibilities of things happening are. It's a scary deal..."

Bielema's interview in SI is mandatory reading for its silliness and stupidity over the idea of clock stoppages and instant diagnoses of athletes physical problems...

Oh...

Arkansas has their season opener at Auburn...
How do you think that will go...???

Kinda like this...???
((HT: Auburn Athletics))


And the prevailing opinion on the Plains will go a little something like this...

Cal's Ted Agu Dies During Conditioning

((HT: NBC Bay Area))

Cal DL Ted Agu collapsed during what the team doctor described as a "routine conditioning workout" early on Friday. He was transferred by golf cart and then to hospital. Agu collapsed there, was given CPR, and could not be revived...

The medical examiner should take a few weeks before they have any answers, but there may be a big question that will come up...

CBSSports.com, citing an unnamed source, had reported that Agu had sickle-cell trait.

(At present, the HQ can't find the link to that story, but Jeff Faraudo from the San Jose Mercury News has a source telling CBSSports.com that Cal knew)

A Cal spokesman would not confirm Agu's sickle-cell trait condition...

Here's coverage from Berkeley


Here's the release from Cal Athletics:

"At this time, we are deeply saddened to inform you that Ted Agu, one of our student-athletes and a member of our football team, passed away tragically this morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ted’s family and friends, our players and coaches, and our University family. Our student-athletes are our priority and we are providing counseling services for our players. Please bear with us as we work to inform personally those closest to Ted; we will provide more information as it becomes available.

“This is a very difficult time for our football family,” said Sonny Dykes, Head Football Coach. “Ted was a remarkable young man and a member of this family who was highly respected and loved by his teammates and coaching staff. He had an incredible passion for life and will be deeply missed.”

Athletics Director, Sandy Barbour, said, “Our heartfelt condolences go out to Ted’s family. This is a very painful time for the entire Cal family; in the days and weeks ahead, my focus will be on providing every member of our community the support and information they need to get through this time. I would ask that media please respect and understand how this tragedy is impacting Ted’s family, his teammates, friends and the members of our campus community. We will get through this together.”