Oregon State dismisses TE Carley for audio clip of racial slurs
Warning: Audio contains offensive language
Oregon State has dismissed freshman tight end Rocco Carley after an audio recording surfaced on social media in which Carley used racist language, head coach Jonathan Smith announced Wednesday after consulting with athletic director Scott Barnes.
— Jonathan Smith (@Coach_Smith) June 4, 2020
In the recording, which was made when Carley was in high school, Carley uses racial slurs to describe African-Americans. He also uses homophobic and Islamophobic language.
this is so disgusting and sad. when does it end? do your thing twitter @RoccoCarley pic.twitter.com/Od57Dco5tx
— Francesca Piccirilli (@francescapic3) June 4, 2020
Carley apologized in a tweet and wrote that the video was intended as "satire."
"This video was taken about three years ago in a group chat where me and my friends were saying stupid things," Carley wrote. "This does not condone anything of what I have said, but I promise to you all that this video does not represent me. I was doing an accent of a Southern man and giving a very satire example of what we all thought would be funny.
"This is no way, shape, or form makes what I said right. I am truthfully sorry to everyone I have hurt and offended, and I understand that I have not represented me or my family in any positive way during this situation."
Carley, who attended John F. Kennedy High School in Mt. Angel, Oregon, redshirted during his first season with the Beavers in 2019.