News about Raiolagate, from the Detroit Lions:
Detroit Lions center Dominic Raiola has personally apologized to University of Wisconsin Band Director Michael Leckrone for inappropriate remarks he made to members of the band before Sunday’s game in Green Bay.
Raiola had a phone conversation with Leckrone on Tuesday and also indicated that he was making a significant donation to The Marching Band Fund, which supports Wisconsin’s Marching Band.
“My interaction with the Wisconsin Marching Band was inappropriate,” Raiola said in a statement released by the team. “I apologize to those I offended along with all of the members of Wisconsin’s Marching Band.
“I also apologize to the Lions’ organization and my teammates. I understand the standards to which we should conduct ourselves, and my actions Sunday fell dramatically short of those standards.”
Team President Tom Lewand, who personally apologized to Leckrone on Monday, issued this statement:
“After investigating the matter and discussing Sunday’s events with Dominic, we are pleased that he has taken ownership of his actions and admitted those actions were wrong and unacceptable,” the statement read.
“As we said yesterday, his actions were not reflective of the standard of behavior that we expect from any player or any member of our organization.
“We are also pleased that he is supporting his apology with a significant donation to the Wisconsin Marching Band Fund.
“Due to Dominic’s sincere and appropriate response, there will be no additional disciplinary action by the team.”
Or, according to Fox Sports Detroit, the NFL.
What does Packer coach Mike McCarthy have to say about this? From WTMJ-TV:
“I saw the headline,” said McCarthy about the story. “We love the Wisconsin band. I don’t know what he’s thinking about, saying anything negative to the band.”
He explained that the UW band has a “phenomenal reputation. They did a great job yesterday.”
So here is an exclusive preview of the next UW Marching Band halftime show (which will include Raiola’s continually marching around the Camp Randall Stadium turf until the show ends or he drops, whichever comes first):
Steve Prestegard.com: The Presteblog 
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