Photo: Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire
Shortly after it was announced on Saturday that college quarterback Kyler Murray was the2018 recipient of the prestigious Heisman Trophy, the athlete apologized on Twitter for several homophobic tweets he had written as a teenager.
“I apologize for the tweets that have come to light tonight from when I was 14 and 15,” Murray, 21,wroteon Sunday morning, just hours after he had been named the winner on Saturday.
“I used a poor choice of word that doesn’t reflect who I am or what I believe,” the athlete continued, adding, I did not intend to single out any individual or group.”
The Heisman Trophy Trust and the Oklahoma athletics department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Although the Oklahoma University player was awarded the Heisman Trophy, which is given annually to the most outstanding collegiate football player, Murray was drafted to a professional baseball team earlier this year.
Murray signed a$4.66 million contractto play for the Oakland Athletics, according to NBC News.
Kyler Murray.Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire/Getty
Although the actor and comedian initiallyrefused to apologizefor his remarks, he eventually did attempt to make amends.
RELATED VIDEO: Kevin Hart Steps Downs as Host of the Academy Awards Moments After Refusing to Apologize
“I’m sorry that I hurt people.. I am evolving and want to continue to do so. My goal is to bring people together not tear us apart,” Hart added. “Much love & appreciation to the Academy. I hope we can meet again.”
Days after Hart stepped down, his friendNick Cannonresurfaced old tweets from comediansAmy Schumer,Sarah SilvermanandChelsea Handlerthat he said also used homophobic language.
source: people.com
