Philadelphia Eagles excuse Riley Cooper from all team activities

PHILADELPHIA - August 2, 2013 (WPVI) -- The Philadelphia Eagles have excused Riley Cooper from all team activities, two days after an online video of the wide receiver using a racial slur went viral.

In a statement issued Friday, the Eagles said Cooper was excused to seek counseling and this is "all new territory" and "we are going to evaluate this timetable every step of the way."

The statement went on to say "He will meet with professionals provided by the Eagles during this period of time to better help him understand how his words have hurt so many, including his teammates."

The Eagles also included another statement attributed to Riley Cooper, which read:

"The last few days have been incredibly difficult for me. My actions were inexcusable. The more I think about what I did, the more disgusted I get. I keep trying to figure out how I could have said something so repulsive, and what I can do to make things better.

Right now, I think it's important for me to take some time to reflect on this situation. The organization and my teammates have been extremely supportive, but I also realize that there are people who will have a tough time forgiving me for what I've done. The best thing for me, and for the team, is to step away for a period of time.

During this time I'm going to be speaking with a variety of professionals to help me better understand how I could have done something that was so offensive, and how I can start the healing process for everyone. As long as it takes, and whatever I have to do, I'm going to try to make this right."

The video, which was first posted on the Philadelphia sports blog Crossingbroad.com, shows Cooper outside the Lincoln Financial Field during a Kenny Chesney concert back in June.

A visibly agitated Cooper can be heard saying, "I will jump that fence and fight every [n-word] in here, bro."

At one point, Cooper is being restrained.

Riley Cooper has been fined by the Eagles, though the amount of the fine has not been released.

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