Comments Bills rookie quarterback Jake Fromm made in a text message conversation surfaced Thursday on Twitter where Fromm used the phrase, "elite white people" and referenced only white people should have guns. Fromm has since apologized for the text messages and issued a statement on social media.
I am extremely sorry that I chose to use the words "elite white people" in a text message conversation. Although I never meant to imply that I am an "elite white person," as stated later in the conversation, there's no excuse for that word choice and sentiment. Now, more than ever, is the time for support and togetherness and I stand against racism 100%. I promise to commit myself to being a part of the solution in this country I addressed my teammates and coaches in a team meeting today and I hope they see this incident is not a representative of the person I am. Again, I'm truly sorry for my words and actions and humbly ask for forgiveness.
The Bills also released a statement regarding Fromm's comments.
"Earlier today, we became aware of comments made in a text message conversation involving Jake Fromm in 2019. He was wrong and he admitted it to us. We don't condone what he said. Jake was honest and forthcoming to us about the text exchange. He asked for an opportunity to address and apologize his teammates and coaches today in a team meeting, which he did. We will continue to work with Jake on the responsibilities of being a Buffalo Bill on and off the field."
Bills assistant head coach and defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier met with the media via Zoom on Thursday. Frazier explained how he thought the team received Fromm's apology during their team meeting.
"Jake seemed very sincere in his apology," Frazier said. "I think for our team, we have a strong culture on our team. Those guys are going to be able to sift through what's real and what's not real. We haven't been around Jake, we haven't had a chance to spend much time with him because of the virtual offseason that we're in. He's a teammate. Those guys I think over time, he'll gain their trust. All of us make mistakes and he acknowledged that, 'I made a mistake'. There are a number of us that could say the same thing at some point or another especially in youth, we've made some mistakes that you move on and grow from. That's what we're going to try to do I'm as a team. I know Jake wants to grow from it as well."
Frazier expressed he believes this can be a teachable moment for Fromm where he can learn.
"Based on what he said to the team today I really believe our guys will give him the benefit of the doubt," Frazier said. "They're looking forward to communicating with him and encouraging him. It definitely sounds like he will learn from his mistake. One of the things we talked about in our meeting earlier was the fact that love has to overcome hate. It's easy to just continue on it, that hate, hate, hate road. That's not what we want to be. If we want to change this, there has to be a reciprocal effort on both sides. We have enough guys on our team that want us to change for the better. I know those guys are going to give Jake every chance to prove that those words that were echoed, I don't know how long ago it was, that was a teachable moment for Jake and that he's learned from it."
