Albany State football coach Quinn Gray apologized Friday days after offering a scholarship to four-star quarterback Marcus Stokes.
Stokes earned his scholarship to the University of Florida retired in November after a video of him using the N-word surfaced on social media.
Marcus Stokes was a quarterback recruit who had his scholarship stripped when video surfaced of him using the N-word on social media. He later received another scholarship offer from an HBCU. Marcus Stokes tweeted that he had received an offer from Albany State University, a Historically Black Public University (HBCU) in Albany, Georgia.
(Twitter / @marcusstokes06)
In a statement, Stokes said he used the word while «rapping along with the words» to a song.
FORMER FLORIDA RECRUIT WITHDRAWN OF SCHOLARSHIP FOR LEAVING N-WORD IN VIDEO GETS OFFER FROM HBCU
On Tuesday, Stokes announced on social media that he had received an offer from the Albany State Golden Rams, a historically black public university in Albany, Georgia.
On Friday, Albany State football head coach Quinn Gray apologized for his decision to «talk to a student who didn’t meet his expectations.»
While Gray did not name Stokes in the statement, the school president reportedly rebuked the head coach for the offer, according to HBCU Gameday.
“Let me start with a humble apology. An apology for failing to honor ASU tradition and history and for disappointing so many of you,” Gray said in his statement. «I did not hold myself to the standard of Ramily that I know you expect. Please know that my decision to speak to a student who did not meet your expectations was unacceptable. I only wanted the best for our team, athletes, and institution when I invited the student to visit ASU As I tell our players, ‘there is a consequence for every action.’
GREG PATRICK, FORMER USFL AND ARIZONA WILDCATS ASSISTANT COACH, DEAD AT 53
Marcus Stokes was a quarterback recruit who had his scholarship stripped when video surfaced of him using the N-word on social media. He later received another scholarship offer from an HBCU. Marcus Stokes tweeted that he had received an offer from Albany State University, a historically black public university in Albany, Georgia.
(Twitter / @marcusstokes06)
«The consequences of my actions brought pain to our University. I was trying to help a student get back into competition and in my haste I didn’t consider the impact the decision would have on all of you. Frankly, it wasn’t my place to use ASU as a platform for redemption in this case. I’m sorry I used faulty judgment. If I get the chance, I’ll do better.»
Fox News Digital contacted Gray to confirm if Stokes still has an offer from the university.
«ASU expects excellence,» the statement continued. «The president has made it clear that my actions did not meet that standard. It was never my intention to misrepresent what ASU stands for or to ignore the rich history of this institution. I am fully committed to the University’s mission of supporting academic excellence and success student.
«Being accepted into the Ramily is something you have to earn. The Ramily embodies the spirit, authenticity and love forged from the work of the giants who came before me. My actions caused you to question my commitment to our institution and our ancestors. As the consequences go, I hope to find a way back to the Ramily.»
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Stokes also received an offer from Alabama A&M and the University of West Florida this week, according to his Twitter account.
Marcus Stokes was a quarterback recruit who had his scholarship stripped when video surfaced of him using the N-word on social media. He later received another scholarship offer from an HBCU. Marcus Stokes tweeted that he received an offer from Albany State University, a historically black public university in Albany, Georgia.
(Twitter / @marcusstokes06)
Following the news that the Gators had decided to withdraw their offer in November, Stokes apologized in a statement.
«I was in my car listening to rap music, rapping to the beat of the words and I posted a video on social media,» he wrote. «I deeply apologize for the words of the song that I chose to say. It was hurtful and offensive to many people, and I’m sorry.
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«I fully accept the consequences of my actions and respect the Decision of the University of Florida withdraw my scholarship offer to play soccer. My intention was never to hurt anyone and I recognize that even when accompanying a song, my words still carry a lot of weight. I will strive to be better and become the best version of myself on and off the pitch.»
«I know that learning from my mistakes is an important first step.»
Fox News’ Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report