For the first time since reports and the video released of his viral altercation with Jordan Poole at practice, Draymond Green addressed the media at practice on Saturday at the Golden State Warriors facility in San Francisco.
Before taking questions from members of the media, Green issued an emotional statement, apologizing to Poole, his family, his teammates and the Warriors’ organization. The four-time NBA champ took accountability for his actions with Poole, calling the incident and the video’s release a “huge embarrassment.”
I was wrong for my actions that took place on Wednesday, and for that, I have apologized to my team and I have apologized to Jordan.
I wanted to take that step further with the event yesterday with the video leaking. There’s a huge embarrassment that comes with that. Not only for myself, as I was the one that committed the action – the embarrassment that comes from me is what it is. That’s something that I have to deal with. The embarrassment that Jordan has to deal with and that this team has to deal with, but also Jordan’s family.
His family saw that video. His mother, his father, saw that video. Quite frankly, if my mother saw that video, I know how my mother would feel. I know what her reaction would be and I know what her next step would be. For that, I apologize to his mother and father and his family, his friends.
Draymond Green took ownership of his actions and personally apologized to Jordan Poole's family for the "huge embarrassment" that comes with the incident pic.twitter.com/DjT9vgnIDA
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) October 8, 2022
During his apology, Green also said he failed as a leader of the Warriors and failed as a man.
Via @ThompsonScribe on Twitter:
Draymond Green: “I failed as a leader. I failed as man.”
— Marcus Thompson II (@ThompsonScribe) October 8, 2022
Green also announced he would take some time away from the Warriors following his altercation with Poole. Steve Kerr called it a mutual decision for Green to step away from the team right now.
The Warriors have three preseason games remaining in training camp before starting the season against the Los Angeles Lakers on the first night of the NBA season. Along with opening the 2022-23 campaign, the Warriors will reveal their new championship banner at Chase Center and receive their rings for the 2022 championship. Green’s availability for opening night against the Lakers hasn’t been revealed.
This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
