Michael Vick may have been willing to forgive Riley Cooper and still consider him a friend, but the same is not true for all of the players in the Philadelphia Eagles locker room. As expected, Cooper’s racist outburst that was caught on camera has negatively impacted his relationship with some of his teammates, including LeSean McCoy.
On Thursday, McCoy told reporters that the thing that hurts the most about Cooper’s comments is “losing a friend.” When NFL Network’s Albert Breer asked him to elaborate, he gave the following response.
[Video: Riley Cooper uses racial slur at Kenny Chesney concert]
“I can’t respect a guy like that,” McCoy said.
According to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer, McCoy also added that he forgave Cooper but that his relationship with the receiver is “different” now. He said the same will be true of some of their teammates.
[Related: Marcus Vick rips Riley Cooper, puts out bounty on him]
Shortly after the video of Cooper’s comment went viral, a separate report indicated that some of the Eagles players want the 25-year-old off the team. As someone who has needed forgiveness for things he has done wrong in the past, it’s not surprising that Vick would come forward and support Cooper. However, McCoy’s comments serve as a reminder that it won’t be that simple for others. Some players will be willing to remain teammates with Cooper but may never consider him a friend again.
