Buccaneers' Davis apologizes after tweeting anti-Asian slur
Warning: Story contains offensive language
Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Carlton Davis apologized for using an anti-Asian slur on social media Sunday night.
"Gotta stop letting g---- in Miami," he wrote in a since-deleted tweet.
Davis said he thought the term meant "lame," adding it was directed toward a producer.
"I'll retire that word from my vocabulary giving the hard times our Asian family are enduring," Davis said in his apology.
I used a term that from where I come from has always meant “lame”but I did not realize it has a much darker, negative connotation. I have learned a valuable lesson and want to apologize to anyone that was offended by seeing that word because we need to focus on helping each other
— C-Murda ™ (@Carlton_Lowkey) April 5, 2021
Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht said in a statement Monday that the club will work with Davis to help him learn from this experience.
“We have been in communication with Carlton regarding his social media post from Sunday evening," Licht said. "Carlton has been an active member of our Social Justice Player Board over the past two seasons and has played a key role in our organizational support for finding peaceful and productive ways to bring attention to societal issues that have plagued our country for many years.
"Words carry weight, and it is incumbent upon all of us to have a thorough understanding of the words we choose and the effect they may have on others. We look forward to working with Carlton to find appropriate ways to learn from this experience and continue our joint efforts to put an end to all forms of social and racial injustices."
Hate crimes against Asian Americans increased by nearly 150% in major U.S. cities from 2019 to 2020, according to the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism.
Davis was drafted in the second round in 2018. He started 14 games for the Bucs last season while helping Tampa Bay win Super Bowl LV.