Cornerback Tony Carter #32 of the Denver Broncos during a game against the Houston Texans at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 23, 2012 in Denver, Colorado. The Texans defeated the Broncos 31-25. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
Chris Strauss, USA TODAY Sports
12:23PM EST October 9. 2012 -
Usually the worst way for a seldom-used backup cornerback to introduce
himself to his team's fanbase would be to fumble on special teams or
get burned in dime package coverage.
Not so for the Denver
Broncos' Tony Carter. The fourth-year pro decided Monday night that it
would be a good idea to make a joke about the July 20 Aurora, Colo.
theater shootings, tweeting "At a late night movie in Denver y'all pray
for me!"
Perhaps
sensing that his more than 6,000 followers might not find the humor in
referring to a massive local tragedy where 12 innocent people were
killed and 58 others were injured, many of them likely Broncos fans,
Carter deleted the tweet shortly after, posting "No Disrespect!!!" He
later deleted that tweet as well.
Given more time to reflect on
the context of his tweet than the five seconds typing and sending it
allotted him, it's likely Carter would have realized that there are
certain things you just don't joke about publicly. Tuesday morning,
whether due to a call from the Broncos PR staff or some genuine
reflection, he issued an apology.
"I am truly sorry for the insensitive and inappropriate comment I made last night. It will never happen again," Carter tweeted.
The former Florida State player has three tackles in five games this season.
(Thanks to KDVR.com in Denver for alerting us to the story.)
USA TODAY