Joe Mixon apologizes for hitting woman in 2014
After video surfaced of a troubling incident in 2014, Oklahoma Sooner running back Joe Mixon has come out with a public apology.
As a freshman, Oklahoma Sooners running back Joe Mixon was suspended for the entire 2014 season after a assaulting a woman at a restaurant. Surveillance video of the incident was recently released to the public, with the expected reaction to Mixon punching the woman.
Sooners’ head coach Bob Stoops, however, acknowledged this week that Mixon would have been dismissed from the team had the incident occurred now. On Friday, Mixon took his turn to speak.
Joe Mixon: "I'm here to apologize. It's never OK to retaliate and hit a woman."
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 23, 2016
Joe Mixon: "I'm here to apologize to Ms. Molitor (the woman he punched). I ask for your forgiveness.. I let a lot of people down."
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 23, 2016
Mixon: It really doesn't matter what she did, it's all on me. I take full responsibility for what I did. It's never OK to hit a woman. Never
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 23, 2016
Mixon did issue a formal apology last month, but Friday was the first time he spoke publicly about the incident. He also suggested he would be willing to speak to domestic violence advocacy groups, as well as to kids so they can learn from his mistake.
If the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters had not filed a lawsuit to prompt release of the video, this entire incident may have stayed behind Mixon. Not that it ever should be completely in his rearview mirror, or he should be playing football at Oklahoma since it happened.
Related Story: Bob Stoops admits Joe Mixon punishment not severe enough
Heading into the Jan. 2 Sugar Bowl against Auburn, Mixon has rushed for a team-leading 1,183 yards along with eight touchdowns. His status for the game does not seem to be in any doubt.