Tom Herman had one of the best moments on the first day of the early signing period for the top college football recruits.
Wednesday morning, the Texas football coach and others were gathered in a conference room, and Herman was so excited about something that he flipped the double bird to the Longhorn Network camera at the exact moment the network cut to a live shot of the conference room.
Unfortunate timing for him? Absolutely. Hilarious for the rest of us who clearly identified this as a joke? Also yes. But was it so malicious that he needed to issue an apology? Maybe, maybe not.
An explanation for what exactly was happening in that room was welcomed, but Herman didn’t really need to apologize for this. If anything, he should be apologizing for his wildly disappointing 7-5 team this season, not a joking moment that was accidentally captured on live TV.
Herman with a double bird to the LHN camera. He seems… excited? https://t.co/zFSzctsWfn
— Brian Davis (@BDavisAAS) December 18, 2019
But he did anyway.
Later on Wednesday during his signing day press conference, he said they were talking about his first Red River Showdown in 2017 at the Cotton Bowl — that raises more follow-up questions than anything — and somehow, that conversation led to him flipping off the camera.
Tom Herman's full apology for this morning's incident. pic.twitter.com/DsRHTVcCIk
— Travis Recek (@TravisRecek) December 18, 2019
Herman said:
“I do want to apologize for something that ended up on live TV this morning. We were joking, quite frankly, about my first experience riding into the Cotton Bowl [Stadium] on the bus and the warm welcome you receive in the Red River game. My very first experience — I think I told you guys this story, as well.
“And when it occurred, honestly, I had no idea. I wasn’t aware that the camera in the room was on live TV. Certainly had nothing to do with LHN, signing day, anything like that. But again, regardless, it was poor judgment on my part, and I do apologize for that.”
Of course he didn’t know he was on live TV. And did anyone really think he was targeting the Longhorn Network with his middle fingers or the new recruits? Come on.
He could have offered an explanation and laughed it off while still acknowledging his poor judgment. An apology was a bit unnecessary.
[vertical-gallery id=878624]
[opinary poll=”does-the-college-football-playoff-need-t” customer=”forthewin”]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=421393249]