Apparently, the death of Everett Golson‘s playing career at Notre Dame has been greatly exaggerated.
Less than 24 hours after it was first reported that the quarterback is no longer enrolled at the school, Golson released a mea culpa in statement form in which he apologized for both “poor academic judgment” and “poor choices.” While the specific nature of those poor judgments and choices were not revealed, the player stated that “I want to reassure my supporters that through this experience I will return a better student athlete as well as a better individual.”
Golson confirmed in the statement that he has “been suspended from the University for the 2013 Fall Term,” which means he will not be an Irish football player for the 2013 season. Spring classes at Notre Dame begin Jan. 14; based on Golson’s statement, he will enroll anew at that point and return to the football program, although there has been no statement from head coach Brian Kelly to affirm that tack.
The fact that Golson’s statement was released through the university’s media arm, though, suggests that’s the path on which Kelly and the athletic department have signed off.
Below is the full text of Golson’s statement:I have been informed by the University of Notre Dame that due to my poor academic judgment that I have been suspended from the University for the 2013 Fall Term.
I take full responsibility for my poor choices and will do all that is asked of me to regain the trust of my family, friends, teammates, coaches and the entire Notre Dame community.
I chose to attend Notre Dame because of its mission to develop me both on and off the football field.
My parents and the community I grew up in have instilled values in me that have and will continue to allow me to be successful in the future. There have been many lessons learned as I worked to become the starting quarterback at Notre Dame and each was a result of Coach Kelly’s belief in me as an athlete and a person.
At this point, I understand how my integrity could be in question but I want to reassure my supporters that through this experience I will return a better student athlete as well as a better individual.
Lastly, I want to thank the University of Notre Dame for the opportunity already granted and also the opportunity going forth to regain my eligibility in the winter of 2014.