Green Bay Regardless of what actually happened and whether charges will be filed, Green Bay cornerback Brandon Underwood felt compelled to apologize to his teammates Wednesday for the repercussions of an alleged Lake Delton incident in which he has been accused of sexual assault.
"He let everybody know on the team that he will not be a distraction anymore," said linebacker Clay Matthews, who hosted the charity golf tournament in the Dells that drew so many of his teammates, including Underwood. "It's unfortunate but at the same time I think we really believed what we had to say."
Underwood's attorney, Richard Kaiser, said that once the facts are fully known his client would be cleared.
Underwood has not been charged in connection with the incident in which Lake Delton police said two Milwaukee-area women, ages 31 and 33, alleged they had been sexually assaulted. Police said seven members of the Packers were at a condo over the weekend at the Wilderness Resort Golf Cabins in Lake Delton where a party was taking place and where the two women said the assaults occurred.
One of those Packers who was in the Dells, Josh Sitton, called the allegations bogus.
In a statement released Wednesday night, Lake Delton police said they had not yet turned over the results of their investigation to the Sauk County district attorney. The statement said the reports would likely be forwarded to the district attorney on Thursday. As a result, the police statement said the district attorney may not decide on charges until the middle of next week.
Underwood was one of about a dozen players available to the media in the locker room after practice Wednesday during the third week of organized team activities.
"I'm not going to be able to make any statements or answer any questions. And I just want to apologize to my teammates for dragging them into this," said Underwood. "And I'm sorry that it's been a distraction for the team."
Underwood was then asked how he was doing.
"It's just been a long week and hopefully the week will hurry up and wind down for me," Underwood said.
Underwood then walked away with slumped shoulders and his head slightly down, not at all resembling the normally self-assured cornerback who, just a week ago, was earning high praise from coach Mike McCarthy.
The Underwood allegations are the third time this off-season the Packers have made news for the wrong reasons. Tight end Spencer Havner was arrested on suspicion of DUI following a motorcycle accident in March, and some additional allegations have been made against end Johnny Jolly as he gets closer to his felony drug possession trial.
On top of that, Jermichael Finley revealed that he missed curfew before a game last year, and draft pick Andrew Quarless, a tight end, had to reassure questioners that he had put troubles with drinking and a DUI while he was at Penn State behind him.
Calmly, without screaming or lecturing, McCarthy felt he needed to address his team before practice Wednesday.
"We discussed that we are in the off-season program and we're in the paper way too much with things other than football," McCarthy said. "We all have a responsibility and an obligation to represent the Green Bay Packers properly. Every decision we make both on and off the field has consequences. And poor judgment was made; with that the circumstances are what they are."
The Packers have about two more weeks when they can keep a close eye on the team, with the final week of organized team activities and then the mandatory minicamp June 21-23. After that, everyone generally goes on vacation, from Ted Thompson on down.
That's about five weeks of total freedom for players. And here's some advice:
"Young guys - it's not worth it. These risky situations you put yourself in, don't do it," said veteran Ryan Pickett. "You've got to be smarter than that. You've got to avoid certain situations and keep yourself away from the people who get in certain situations.
"That's the thing about being a professional - it's not up to the coaches. We're in the NFL for a reason, so be a professional athlete, be a professional man."
Underwood practiced Wednesday at the starting right cornerback spot opposite Pat Lee, in place of regular starters Al Harris and Charles Woodson. With Tramon Williams not practicing either, Underwood's placement is an indication of how highly the team considers his potential.
"I stand by what I said about Brandon Underwood last week," McCarthy said. "He's had a very good off-season here at work and that's the facts. I don't know if you were watching the play today, but I'm sure when I go upstairs and watch the film the young man is an ascending player."