My deepest apologies and sincere regret toward the entire San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus & the LGBT community for the incident that occurred during the National Anthem. It was a very unfortunate mistake but it was just that, an error. I in no way, shape or form directed any type of hate, bad intent or discrimination towards the Chorus or anyone involved. The incident was not a representation of myself,San Diego & it’s amazing Baseball fans.I have felt the consequences of my mistake as my dream job has dissolved before my eyes which does not take away that I am extremely sorry for the horrible mistake that occurred. I have family members & friends that are a part of the LGBT community & I have always been a supporter of Equal Human Rights, so it pains me greatly to see that I am being accused of acting intentionally. As a former high school and college baseball player, I understand the importance of ensuring equality for all in sports and am appalled by some of the negative, homophobic comments made by fans related to the National Anthem incident. I have reached out to LGBT leaders in San Diego and am currently in discussion regarding a meeting with the Chorus and LGBT leaders personally in order to be as constructive as possible about the error. I’ve let down my City, my family & everyone who had faith in me.
Once again,I’m truly sorry for this entire ordeal.
A few days ago, I took the San Diego Padres to task for what seemed the shoddy, disrespectful mistreatment of the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus (SDGMC). The Padres had invited SDGMC to sing the national anthem before a game…and the proceeding didn’t come off as planned. Instead of the expected recording of the chorus being played, a recording of a woman singing the national anthem was played. No announcement was made regarding the faux pas, nor did SDGMC receive an apology from the team until well after the fact and the hue and cry became impossible to ignore. To say the Padres didn’t cover themselves in glory would be something of an understatement.
Now the person responsible for the embarrassing contretemps has stepped up and issued what seems a sincere and straightforward apology. I think it’s fair and appropriate to recognize and acknowledge when someone actually accepts responsibility and hopes to make amends…if only because we live in a society addicted to blame-shifting and lack of personal accountability. If DJ Artform is to be considered credible, and I see no reason not to accept him at his word, it was a horrible mistake he can’t undo. He wants to make it clear there was no malicious intent or attempt to belittle or disrespect SDGMC.
A very wise person once told me the fact that we mess up isn’t what’s important. We all screw the pooch at some point…some of us on a semi-regular basis. What’s important is how one recovers from a &@#%up and how quickly and sincerely they apologize. People will forgive a mistake if they recognize contrition and determine an apology to be sincere and legitimate. With any luck, everyone involved will learn something from this incident and the world will be a better place for it.
Kudos to DJ Artform for issuing a public and sincere apology for those he may have offended. No, it shouldn’t have happened, but hopefully forgiveness will be forthcoming from those aggrieved and everyone will be able to move on.
Play ball, eh?
