Calgary Stampeders Nik Lewis celebrates his touchdown during second quarter CFL football action against the B.C. Lions in Calgary, Friday, Oct. 22, 2010The Canadian Press
A day late and a few more dollars short, Calgary Stampeders slotback Nik Lewis finally apologized for an inappropriate message he sent out on Twitter Tuesday.
In a statement released through the team, Lewis said it was not in his "character or nature to condone violence in any way, especially violence against women. I made a huge mistake with my tweet and I apologize sincerely to everyone. I am truly sorry."
To make amends, Lewis said he would donate his game cheque for Sunday's Western Conference final against the B.C. Lions to the Calgary Women's Emergency Shelter. The Stampeders plan to match Lewis's contribution as well.
On Tuesday, the CFL fined Lewis an undisclosed amount for breaching the league's social media policy after he'd tweeted: "I just bought OJ's gloves on eBay. Now all I need is a white girl named Nicole." He then added: #MaybeALittleToFar.
Lewis didn't immediately apologize on Wednesday, but instead tried to explain away the tweet as an edgy joke that people misunderstood. In the ensuing 24 hours, he had some sort of awakening presumably because on Thursday, he added: "I didn't realize until today how many people were offended by my comment. I didn't mean to cause anyone grief."
The Stamps issued a further statement saying the ownership group, which also received an apology from Lewis, wanted to express its own "dismay and regret at the action of the player.
"This player and all members of the team are expected to conduct themselves publicly and privately with professionalism and respect for the community and everyone in it."