Herremans apologizes for 'homosexuality' tweet
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Herremans apologizes for 'homosexuality' tweet
Jeff McLane and Jonathan Tamari
BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Eagles guard Todd Herremans apologized on Twitter for an earlier "tweet" that referenced the HBO show "True Blood" and its "barrage of homosexuality."
"After speaking with Eagles management, I realize that my tweet earlier was insensitive and tasteless, and for this, I deeply apologize," Herremans wrote. "It was not my intention to offend or hurt anyone."
Herremans' original tweet, which was eventually deleted, went, "So.. caught up on Trueblood las nite.. Not a fan of how they get u hooked with the 1st 2 seasons then bring on a barrage of homesexuality."
Inquirer Page 2 columnist John Gonzalez, a follower of Herremans' on Twitter, asked if the guard wanted to apologize for his tweet.
Herremans responded: "I have no issues with homosesxuality, to each his/her own... Its just not for me.. #jussayin."
Herremans, a regular on Twitter, hasn't practiced thus far during training camp. He's on the Physically Unable to Perform List with a foot injury. Eagles coach Andy Reid has insisted the injury is a minor one, however.
MIKE BELL'S FRUSTRATION
Mike Bell has been down this road before.
The Eagles running back has a hamstring strain that has kept him out of practice for over a week, and it's not the first time that's happened to him during training camp. In fact, it's occurred in three straight camps.
"It happened to me last year. It happened the year before," said Bell, who played for the Saints the past two seasons. "Same hamstring. So it is frustrating. ... But I looked at it and I always come out on the other end. So there's no reason to let it frustrate me."
Still, Bell had an animated conversation with Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg a few days ago in which he did express his frustration. The two hugged it out and Bell said he didn't need any reassurance from the Eagles that he's still their backup tailback.
"They don't really have to say anything just because I've done such a great job," Bell said. "I don't really need any nobody reassuring me because I know what kind of confidence I have."
Bell said that he believe injuries dropped him from his coaches' good graces at his previous stops in New Orleans and Denver. He was able to take part in the early, non-contact portion of practice Tuesday. He said it's the most he's done since his injury and that he expects to be back very soon.
OTHER INJURY UPDATES
-- The following players missed Tuesday morning's practice and did not participate in outdoor conditioning: center Nick Cole (knee), wide receiver Hank Baskett (knee), cornerback Macho Harris (hamstring), defensive tackle Antonio Dixon (concussion) and kicker David Akers (foot contusion).
-- Cornelius Ingram (knee/calf) was a limited participant in practice. Center A.Q. Shipley (ankle) and defensive end Ricky Sapp (knee) returned. Wide receiver Kelley Washington had to be carted off the field for what he said were "cramps." Cornerback Ellis Hobbs took a few plays off for an unspecified reason.
PRACTICE OBSERVATIONS
-- The defensive play of the morning came when Brandon Graham tipped a Kevin Kolb screen pass and ran it back for a touchdown. Graham said he read the play based on Brent Celek’s block, and just tried to stay in front of the quarterback. The team doesn’t usually play through defensive run backs in drills – the coaches are typically just 15 or so yards behind the line of scrimmage – but Graham sped right past them, running like a kid who had just gotten away with something.
“That was a relief having one big play, because I haven’t really made too many plays other than sacks,” Graham said.
-- Offensive coordinator Mary Mornhinweg gave an incredible stat on Jason Avant: the slot receiver, as of about a day and a half ago, has caught around 80 passes in competitive training camp drills (seven-on-seven and 11-on-11) with zero drops.
“I’m not sure I’ve ever had a receiver that has had quite this type of camp as far as catching the ball,” Mornhinweg said.
-- The offensive line had mixed success stopping blitzes in 11-on-11 drills, showing some improvement on certain plays and allowing Kolb to make quick strikes to Celek and Avant, but letting rushers come free in other instances.
-- Ernie Sims rushed in and forced a throwaway (he thankfully pulled up before hitting Kolb, a tactic he has often failed to use in camp), and on another play DeSean Jackson had come open deep, but Kolb was scrambling and couldn’t find him. Jackson was visibly frustrated.
-- The offense looked much more competitive and sharp, though, than it had late last week, hinting the inconsistency that often shows in young teams.
“We’re so young and in some cases inexperienced, that it’s a little bit more up and down than a normal camp, but I do think we’re making excellent progress and certainly anticipated some of these ups and downs,” Mornhinweg said.
-- Juqua Parker showed great power in one-on-one blocking drills, pushing Winston Justice and then Stacy Andrews backward. Graham zoomed around Justice nearly untouched.
-- Jason Peter mauled Ricky Sapp and Max Jean-Gilles stopped Darryl Tapp.
-- Punter Ken Parrish got some work attempting field goals. David Akers does not appear to have much to worry about.
If only he'd ended the first message with "not there's anything wrong with that", he wouldn't have to apologize.— COskier
I don't think he needs to apologive at all. I agree with him 100% about True Blood. Todd is not the only one that feels this way - Go take a look at the True Blood blogs and fan message boards.— mikegdj- That show just sucks anyway. No pun intended.— nmr82
Comment removed.- Comment removed.
- He should have realized that no one cares about him and so not even set up a twitter account in the first place.— B in DC
- Ridiculous PC nonsense. You can BOTH support gay rights AND not prefer to watch guys kissing on TV. The Eagles management has a lot of nerve after this Vick nonsense saying anything.— pgcd3
- @Philly_Mike - Do you think this would have been any different if he was black? You're an idiot.— B in DC
- I don't watch the show. However, what, exactly, is offensive about the comment? There's a barrage of homosexuality at 12th and Walnut. So what?— Marchmadness
- Herremans' comment didn't even make sense. I've watched the show from the beginning, and one of the main characters, Lafayette is gay, very gay, and has been since the inception of the show. Pretty silly. Besides, I don't recall any complaints from the homosexual community from the "barrage of heterosexuality" that's been present in the show since the beginning. and, yes, Philly_Mike's comment makes no sense, whatsoever. do people even think before they speak/type anymore?— jfd6812
- what was wrong with that tweet? it was an opinnion delivered very PC— Born_Green
- what was wrong with that tweet? it was an opinnion delivered very PC— Born_Green
- dam, this site is slow as hell. i posted something 10 minutes ago still not up— Menace.II.Sobriety
- you people should be ashamed of yourself— Menace.II.Sobriety
- the "barrage of homosexuality" is also why Todd plays Guard and not Center— ChunkyLover53
