Longtime Oklahoma wide receivers coach Cale Gundy shocked the college football world when he suddenly resigned on Sunday night in the wake of what he described as an incident during a team film session.
Gundy, who has been with the program since 1999, said in a lengthy statement that he accidentally read “one particular word that I should never — under any circumstance — have uttered” during a film session.
“Last week, during a film session, I instructed my players to take notes,” Gundy said in a statement, in part. “I noticed a player was distracted and picked up his iPad and read aloud the words that were written on his screen. The words displayed had nothing to do with football. One particular word that I should never — under any circumstance — have uttered was displayed on that screen. In the moment, I did not even realize what I was reading and, as soon as I did, I was horrified.
“I want to be very clear: The words that I read aloud from that screen were not my words. What I said was not malicious; it wasn’t even intentional. Still, I am mature enough to know that the word I said was shameful and hurtful, no matter my intentions.”
Taking to Twitter on Monday, three-time NFL rushing champion Adrian Peterson gave his take on the situation when he acknowledged that Gundy is likely going through a lot and offered him his support.
“When you talk about making a dream come true, you’ve accomplished that and more! I am proud and honored to have been a part of your journey and am forever grateful! I know and respect the man that you are and stand 10 toes down with you for a lifetime!” Peterson wrote.
During his three years at Oklahoma, Peterson would rush for 4,045 yards and 41 touchdowns. His 1,925 rushing yards in his 2004 freshman season remain a school record.
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It’s unknown what word Gundy is talking about specifically, or whose iPad he said he picked up.
Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables provided clarity on the situation on Monday.
“This is not acceptable. Period,” Venables said.
“It’s with sadness that I accept Coach Gundy’s resignation,” Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables said in a statement. “He’s dedicated more than half of his life to Oklahoma football and has served our program and university well. We also acknowledge that in stepping aside he’s placed the program and the welfare of our student-athletes first. In coaching and in life, we’re all accountable for our actions and the resulting outcomes.
“The culture we’re building in our program is based on mutual respect. Our staff is here to develop successful student-athletes, but also young men of character. As the leaders of this program, it’s essential that we hold ourselves to the highest standards as we model for our players the type of men we want them to become.”
Before becoming a coach, Gundy was a record-setting quarterback for the Sooners from 1990 to 1993.
Oklahoma is set to open the 2022 regular season in a little bit less than a month.
