Bills defensive end Anthony Hargrove faced the music Monday night after his incident with Rochester police over the weekend. Following an evening practice session with his teammates Hargrove was apologetic about the negative light his decisions cast on the organization.
"First and foremost I want to start by apologizing to the city of Rochester," said Hargrove. "This is the first time in this camp and I didn't want it to go like this. I want to apologize to the NFL, my teammates, my coaches and everybody that was affected by this situation. I'm sorry with the way things are going right now."
Hargrove called the incident over the weekend a big misunderstanding.
"I didn't hit an officer," he said. "As things develop it will show that I will be innocent. I'll just let the courts take care of it."
The defensive end said he spoke to his teammates about the events of last weekend and that they "have his back."
"This is a great organization," said Hargrove. "Thurman Thomas just got put in the Hall of Fame and now they've got to deal with some idiot kid making mistakes off the field."
"We're disappointed that the situation exists and he's disappointed obviously," said head coach Dick Jauron. "And you'd certainly rather have an athlete express the fact that he's not happy about it than ignore it. Now we just have to gather all the information and let it run its course, and it will."
Jauron also said at this point that Hargrove is expected to travel with the team Thursday for Buffalo's first preseason game at New Orleans Friday night.
"As far as I know I'm playing and traveling," said Hargrove.
When asked if he's learned a lesson from all this Hargrove had a quick answer.
"Stay home," he said. "Going out to have fun when I'm in training camp is not smart. I've been in the league long enough to know what not to do. It's time for me to grow up and be a man."
To hear from Hargrove himself, go to the multimedia section later tonight to listen to his interview following Monday night's practice.
Practice notes to follow shortly.
