FanSpeak letter: Extending an apology

To the editor:

A Fan Speak writer last week submitted a prepared statement that was critical of an unprepared statement that I made. While the Fan Speak writer misquoted me and exaggerated my statement, I otherwise respect their opinion.

They were writing because this newspaper included quotes from me in a Nov. 10 article written about one of my players. Near the end of a hourlong news conference and dozens of questions from television, radio, and newspaper reporters, I stumbled through the answer to a question I had always avoided in the past. Sure enough, that was a quote that showed up in the paper.

While my quote was not critical of anyone else, it was thoughtless and insensitive, and I regret that I upset a family who lost a daughter in a car accident. My own father passed away [the day after Thanksgiving] three years ago, and I know what it is like to struggle through the holiday season, with only the treasured memories of a loved one. I deeply regret hurting them.

I let myself get wrapped up in the emotion and excitement of my player's scholarship signing and I failed to edit what was in my head before it came out of my mouth. I sincerely apologize to the family and anyone else who may have been offended by my comment.

John Daniel,

Cape Girardeau

(Daniel is the Saxony Lutheran boys basketball coach.)