http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-chargers-boston&prov=ap&type=lgns
Boston back with Chargers, issues apology
By BERNIE WILSON, AP Sports Writer
September 29, 2003
SAN DIEGO (AP) -- David Boston stood in front of reporters Monday and apologized for the behavior that got him suspended for a game by San Diego Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer.
Boston did not deliver the same message to his winless team as a whole.
The wide receiver, whose $47 million contract is the largest in team history, made a 37-second statement following practice. With the consent of the organization, he refused to take questions.
``I'm here just to make a statement,'' Boston said. ``First of all, I want to apologize to my teammates, the organization and the fans for not being able to participate in this Sunday's game. I'm anxious to get out on the football field this week. I know I've made a lot of mistakes in the past and I've learned from them and I'm moving on.
``It was funny, I was watching the game and I ordered some food and I couldn't even eat because I was too very disturbed. And I let my teammates down and I want to get back out there and play. So that's what I'm here to do.''
Boston then walked away from the podium, ignored a question and found the door back into the building locked. A PR assistant let him in.
Boston returned a day after the Chargers (0-4) lost 34-31 in overtime at Oakland after blowing a 14-point lead with less than five minutes left in regulation.
``He didn't stand up in front of the team and apologize or anything like that, but I've seen him talking with several guys,'' quarterback Drew Brees said. ``I'm not quite sure what he's talking about, but I assume that that's kind of part of it.
``I chatted with him a little bit, just kind of saying he's ready to go,'' Brees added.
Boston was sent home before practice last Wednesday, then was suspended Thursday for repeatedly breaking team rules.
Boston had a run-in with strength coach Dave Redding on Tuesday and was involved in a shouting match with injured wide receiver Reche Caldwell in the locker room before a home loss to Baltimore on Sept. 21. Boston also missed or was late to mandatory team activities.
It's not unheard of for a player returning from a suspension to get up in front of his teammates and apologize. Even Ryan Leaf did it.
Schottenheimer said he didn't feel Boston needed to apologize to his teammates as a group.
``I think frankly, David will in his own way make his way with his teammates,'' Schottenheimer said. ``He didn't feel like he was real comfortable doing that and I certainly wasn't going to insist that it be done.''
Running back LaDainian Tomlinson, still smarting a day after the Chargers wasted his 187-yard performance, said it didn't bother him that Boston didn't apologize to the team.
``I don't need an apology from him; just play football. I don't think David Boston is a concern for us. Getting a win is a real concern, to be honest.
``I kind of said, `What's up, man? Nice to have you back.' That's about it,'' Tomlinson said of his exchange with Boston.
Schottenheimer said Boston was contrite when the two met Monday morning.
``It was fine. We started right on time,'' Schottenheimer said.
Last Thursday, Boston didn't show up for a meeting at which Schottenheimer was going to tell him he was suspended.
``David Boston will be responsible for all of the things that we're involved with strength and conditioning-wise and I've told him that on the practice field, in the meetings, there are certain things that we want to do and ways we want to get them done,'' Schottenheimer said. ``And David said, `I'm fine with that. I understand that completely.'''
Also Monday, tight end Stephen Alexander had surgery for a groin injury and is expected to be out four to six weeks.
San Diego plays Sunday at Jacksonville, which also is 0-4.
Dating to last season's collapse, the Chargers have lost eight straight and 11 of 13.
Boston back with Chargers, issues apology
By BERNIE WILSON, AP Sports Writer
September 29, 2003
SAN DIEGO (AP) -- David Boston stood in front of reporters Monday and apologized for the behavior that got him suspended for a game by San Diego Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer.
Boston did not deliver the same message to his winless team as a whole.
The wide receiver, whose $47 million contract is the largest in team history, made a 37-second statement following practice. With the consent of the organization, he refused to take questions.
``I'm here just to make a statement,'' Boston said. ``First of all, I want to apologize to my teammates, the organization and the fans for not being able to participate in this Sunday's game. I'm anxious to get out on the football field this week. I know I've made a lot of mistakes in the past and I've learned from them and I'm moving on.
``It was funny, I was watching the game and I ordered some food and I couldn't even eat because I was too very disturbed. And I let my teammates down and I want to get back out there and play. So that's what I'm here to do.''
Boston then walked away from the podium, ignored a question and found the door back into the building locked. A PR assistant let him in.
Boston returned a day after the Chargers (0-4) lost 34-31 in overtime at Oakland after blowing a 14-point lead with less than five minutes left in regulation.
``He didn't stand up in front of the team and apologize or anything like that, but I've seen him talking with several guys,'' quarterback Drew Brees said. ``I'm not quite sure what he's talking about, but I assume that that's kind of part of it.
``I chatted with him a little bit, just kind of saying he's ready to go,'' Brees added.
Boston was sent home before practice last Wednesday, then was suspended Thursday for repeatedly breaking team rules.
Boston had a run-in with strength coach Dave Redding on Tuesday and was involved in a shouting match with injured wide receiver Reche Caldwell in the locker room before a home loss to Baltimore on Sept. 21. Boston also missed or was late to mandatory team activities.
It's not unheard of for a player returning from a suspension to get up in front of his teammates and apologize. Even Ryan Leaf did it.
Schottenheimer said he didn't feel Boston needed to apologize to his teammates as a group.
``I think frankly, David will in his own way make his way with his teammates,'' Schottenheimer said. ``He didn't feel like he was real comfortable doing that and I certainly wasn't going to insist that it be done.''
Running back LaDainian Tomlinson, still smarting a day after the Chargers wasted his 187-yard performance, said it didn't bother him that Boston didn't apologize to the team.
``I don't need an apology from him; just play football. I don't think David Boston is a concern for us. Getting a win is a real concern, to be honest.
``I kind of said, `What's up, man? Nice to have you back.' That's about it,'' Tomlinson said of his exchange with Boston.
Schottenheimer said Boston was contrite when the two met Monday morning.
``It was fine. We started right on time,'' Schottenheimer said.
Last Thursday, Boston didn't show up for a meeting at which Schottenheimer was going to tell him he was suspended.
``David Boston will be responsible for all of the things that we're involved with strength and conditioning-wise and I've told him that on the practice field, in the meetings, there are certain things that we want to do and ways we want to get them done,'' Schottenheimer said. ``And David said, `I'm fine with that. I understand that completely.'''
Also Monday, tight end Stephen Alexander had surgery for a groin injury and is expected to be out four to six weeks.
San Diego plays Sunday at Jacksonville, which also is 0-4.
Dating to last season's collapse, the Chargers have lost eight straight and 11 of 13.
