Everett, Wash.
Published: Tuesday, November 11, 2008

College football notes: Texas player OK with removal of teammate

Associated Press

 AUSTIN, Texas -- A Texas Longhorns team leader Monday praised the way coaches handled the dismissal of a player who posted a racial slur on his Facebook page about President-elect Barack Obama.

Backup center Buck Burnette left No. 4 Texas on Wednesday for what was announced as an unspecified violation of team rules. Burnette, a sophomore, played in seven games this season.

In a statement to The Associated Press, Burnette apologized and said he made a "terrible decision" to post a text message he received about Obama's victory that contained a racial slur.

Senior defensive end Brian Orakpo said he considered the dismissal "appropriate."

"I thought the coaches did a good job on handling the situation," Orakpo said. "My prayers are for him, but we've got to move on. Guys got to make better decisions for their future."

Orakpo said players should know their personal Web pages such as MySpace and Facebook can be sources of controversy.

Weber State coach out of hospital

Weber State football coach Ron McBride, who became sick during Saturday's 59-27 win over Idaho State, was released from the Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello, Idaho, on Sunday.

All hospital tests on McBride, 69, were negative, but he spent the night in the hospital. He plans on seeing his own doctor this week.
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA