Sooners’ Bosworth Apologizes to Bruins

Oklahoma linebacker Brian Bosworth apologized Tuesday for statements he made after the top-ranked Sooners’ 38-3 victory over UCLA last weekend.

“I used poor judgment in making uncomplimentary remarks about UCLA, but I also understand that, due to the fact that the reader almost never gets the whole story, I can be misunderstood,” Bosworth said in a statement he wrote, which was released by the school’s sports information office.

“I would like to submit that if the reporters had included in their articles the entire contents, or even a little, from the press conference, this letter would be unnecessary,” Bosworth said.

In his post-game interview, Bosworth said, among other things, that the Sooners opened last season “with a semi-doormat (Minnesota). This year, we opened with a legitimate doormat.” He said later in the interview that it was meant as a joke and that he didn’t mean it.

He also was quoted as saying UCLA played “girls football.”

His statement read as follows:

“After careful consideration, I realize that a few of the statements I made after Saturday’s game with UCLA were unnecessary. By now I should realize that if I request a statement be made off the record, I should know that my request won’t be taken seriously.

“Nevertheless, it is my responsibility as a representative of the state, the university and the football program of Oklahoma to be man enough to retract any derogatory statements made towards a program that I have nothing but respect for.

“I used poor judgment in making uncomplimentary remarks about UCLA, but I also understand that, due to the fact that the reader almost never gets the whole story, I can be misunderstood. I would like to submit that if the reporters had included in their articles the entire contents, or even a little, from the press conference this letter would be unnecessary.

“The statements that seemed to have been lost included remarks that the game was a great start for Oklahoma’s football program. All phases of our game seemed to be in sync, which allowed us to beat a UCLA team that will probably go on to win nine or 10 games this year. UCLA did not seem emotionally ready to play. However, I know that the UCLA that you saw is really a much better team than that.