Cal Athletic Director Sandy Barbour responded to comments made by Arkansas football coach Bret Bielema regarding the death of Cal football player Ted Agu on Friday. Bielema brought up Agu’s death to defend his argument for a NCAA proposal that would prevent an offense from snapping the ball for ten seconds on Thursday.
Bielema was asked about evidence regarding injuries due to the high up-tempo offenses and answered “death certificates”, alluding to Agu’s death. The defensive lineman died on Feb. 7 during a teamwide training run.
Barbour, who was in Bakersfield on Friday to attend the Agu family service, voiced her displeasure at Bielema on Twitter.
Bret Bielema's comments about our Ted Agu are misinformed, ill-advised and beyond insensitive
— Sandy Barbour (@TheBarbour_Shop) February 21, 2014
Using the tragic loss of one of our student athletes as a platform to further a personal agenda in a public setting is beyond inappropriate
— Sandy Barbour (@TheBarbour_Shop) February 21, 2014
After much media scrutiny, Bielema addressed his previous comments on Twitter on Friday.
In my press conference last night, I referenced information about the tragic loss of a life of a student-athlete. My comments were intended
— Bret Bielema (@BretBielema) February 22, 2014
to bring awareness to player safety and instead they have caused unintended hurt. As a head coach who works with young individuals every day
— Bret Bielema (@BretBielema) February 22, 2014
The passing of Ted Agu is a reminder to us all how short and precious life is.
— Bret Bielema (@BretBielema) February 22, 2014
I would like to extend my deepest condolences and sympathy to the Agu family, Coach Sonny Dykes and to the University of California family
— Bret Bielema (@BretBielema) February 22, 2014
Cal football coach Sonny Dykes spoke out last week against the new rule change over Twitter, dismissing the argument that the proposal was for player safety.
