Gordon Gee apologizes to Bret Bielema over ‘thug’ comment

This week is turning into an apology tour for Ohio State president E. Gordon Gee.

On Thursday, the bow-tied boss came under scrutiny after the Associated Press released audio recordings of him ripping Catholics, Notre Dame, Louisville, and the SEC in an athletic council meeting last year. Gee apologized for his comments and apologized to Notre Dame.

On Friday, Gee apologized to Arkansas football coach Bret Bielema for saying Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez “thought he was a thug.”

“Someone was saying to me, well, you know, Bret Bielema leaving … that was a blessing for Wisconsin and they knew it. Because he was under tremendous pressure. They didn’t like him. Barry Alvarez thought he was a thug. And he left just ahead of the sheriff,” Gee said, per a recording obtained by Sports Illustrated’s Andy Staples.

Late on Friday, Bielema, who is preparing for his first season at Arkansas after seven at Wisconsin, tweeted a photo of the apology letter Gee sent him.

It’s a start from Mr. Gee. Will take his apology and phone call soon. #1-0 twitter.com/BretBielema/st…

— Bret Bielema (@BretBielema) June 1, 2013

In the apology, Gee writes:

Dear Bret,
I write to apologize for my comments about you, as well as remarks I made that were entirely unfounded and speculative about your relationship with Barry Alvarez and the University of Wisconsin. My comments were unfair, inaccurate, and wholly wrongheaded. To be sure, you have a remarkable record of accomplishment with student-athletes both on the field and in the classroom. I am deeply sorry for my comments and for any and all pain they have caused.

Sincerely,
E. Gordon Gee.

Gee just does not have a filter. Alvarez hand-picked Bielema to succeed him as Wisconsin’s football coach. You think Alvarez considered his hand-picked successor a thug? That’s highly doubtful. This guy is unreal.