Utah State University football coach Blake Anderson talks with a referee during a game in Logan on Friday Oct 1, 2021. Photo: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
LOGAN, Utah — Utah State University football coach Blake Anderson has apologized for comments he made during the summer. The comments were revealed after a lawsuit highlighted secret team recordings about sexual assault.
Read More: USU police chief resigns after sexual assault comments to football players were made public
Coach Anderson made the following statement concerning the comments:
“I appreciate having an opportunity to address comments I made during a conversation with our team during our fall camp because my message to the team to always do the right thing warrants repeating whenever the opportunity presents itself.
“In the course of that conversation, I used a phrase regarding victims of wrongdoing to magnify that message to our team, but after reading my comments in the transcript that was released, I realize my choice of words was hurtful.
“I regret the words I used, and I apologize to anyone who has bravely come forward with allegations of wrongdoing.
“We have to do everything we can to encourage and protect anybody who has been the victim of a wrong, or whose personal rights have been violated. Anyone who knows me knows how strongly I feel about this.
“Giving victims a safe platform to address wrongs they’ve suffered is always the right thing to do, and something I’ll always stand for.”
The coach’s comments Friday came after a team meeting in August. At that time, according to the university, the football team met with members of the Utah State and Logan police departments.
According to USU, Anderson requested the informal meeting and covered how the Title IX process works as well as services offered by USU’s Sexual Assault and Anti-Violence offices.
The meeting occurred a month after football team players participated in a required Title IX sexual misconduct prevention training.
In an exclusive report by KSL TV, and in recordings KSL TV obtained related to this story, Anderson is reportedly heard saying, “It has never been more glamorized to be a victim.” He reportedly went on to say that the football team is a “target to some.”