Lead Writer
Say what you want, but former Florida Gators seem to stick together.
After showing support for Aaron Hernandez via a hat, Miami Dolphins stud lineman Mike Pouncey has again reached out to show support for another former Gator.
Pouncey told NFL.com's Around The League that he really feels bad for his former Gators teammate, Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Riley Cooper.
“I spent three years in college with him. I feel bad for him. That’s not Riley Cooper,” Pouncey said. “I know him. I know his family. I wasn’t offended by it because I know him. It’s just an ugly situation, and I really feel bad for him. I’ll reach out to him eventually — but I want things to die down. I don’t want to be one of those guys trying to give him advice.”
After his "Free Hernandez" fiasco, Pouncey can somewhat understand what Cooper is going through.
“I know what he’s going through right now. … One mistake can really hurt,. I know he’s disgusted with himself — and I just hope he gets through it. It feels like the lowest point of your career. You’re thinking, ‘I can’t believe I’m that guy who made that mistake.’ You don’t want to be that guy.”
Many Eagles teammates have forgiven Cooper, but not everyone. Most of the teammates that have forgiven Cooper have lost him as a friend, though.
And while some of the Eagles roster is forgiving in order to maintain unity and chemistry, the rest of the NFL has a target in the wide receiver.
Pouncey might just be one of the very few defending Cooper.
