Say what you will about the Sad Saga of Riley Cooper, but one thing’s for sure, it’s life cycle has been extremely quick. In the course of a few hours, Cooper’s video went viral, he apologized on Twitter, the NFL Player’s Union issued a damning response, he met (and again apologized) with the Philadelphia media, and he’s already been fined by his team, the Philadelphia Eagles. Without social media driving it, this situation might have played out over the course of the entire preseason, if at all. Speaking of social media, the Twitter account of Eagle’s beat writer Jeff McLane has been on fire with updates about Cooper’s boneheaded actions and the surrounding fallout.
Before that, however, Cooper’s made-for-media apology:
The owner of the Eagles, Jeff Lurie, made sure to let interested parties know that the Eagles absolutely do not support Riley’s actions, and so they fined him:
“We are shocked and appalled by Riley Cooper’s words,” Lurie said. “This sort of behavior or attitude from anyone has no role in a civil society. He has accepted responsibility for his words and his actions. He has been fined for this incident.”
Cooper said the fine was a “good amount of money.” He said he has yet to hear from the league office and if they had planned to discipline him.
Over at the aforementioned Jeff McLane’s Twitter page, he provides an idea of how Cooper’s teammates responded to the news:
Fletcher Cox on Riley Cooper: "Everybody makes mistakes."
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) July 31, 2013
Cox on Cooper: "I still trust him as a teammate. I still love Riley. I still look at him as one of my brothers."
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) August 1, 2013
Jason Avant on Riley Cooper's apology: Some guys accepted it right away. For some it may take days, weeks and months.
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) August 1, 2013
As for the perhaps the most recognizable player on the team, Michael Vick, he echoed the thoughts of his teammates:
Michael Vick: Riley came to us as a man. As a teammate, I forgave him. pic.twitter.com/sTvG295fwI
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) August 1, 2013
Michael’s brother Marcus was not as forgiving, however:
For those that don't follow Marcus Vick, he said that there should be a bounty put on Riley Cooper's head.
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) August 1, 2013
The tweet in question has apparently been removed, but there is this:
Ok my lips are sealed lol RT @theycallme_ck: @MVFive as ur co-publicist i will allow ur bounty comment to slide…shit was appalling. smdh.
— Marcus Vick (@MVFive) July 31, 2013
Somehow, it feels like the social media interaction adds a dose of silliness to the proceedings, but maybe that’s just me. As for Cooper’s future, the fine clearly indicates the Eagles organization still thinks he can still be valuable on the field, otherwise, he would be the newest addition to the NFL’s waiver wire.