New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) on Wednesday took to Twitter to applaud Rutgers University for firing Mike Rice, the men’s basketball coach who was shown hurling balls and insults at his players in a video that was broadcast on ESPN.
In a series of tweets, Christie called the incident a “regrettable episode” for the university, but said the school took the “right & necessary action in light of the conduct displayed in the video.” After the video surfaced Tuesday, a Christie spokesman said the governor was “deeply disturbed by the conduct displayed and strongly condemns this behavior.” In the video, Rice is shown directing a number of profance and homophobic insults at his players and whipping basketballs at them.
This was a regrettable episode for @rutgersu, but I completely support the decision to remove Coach Rice.
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) April 3, 2013
It was the right & necessary action to take in light of the conduct displayed on the videotape.
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) April 3, 2013
Parents entrust their sons to the @ruathletics Department & the men’s basketball program at an incredibly formative period of their lives.
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) April 3, 2013
The way these young men were treated by the head coach was completely unacceptable &violates the trust parents put in @rutgersu.
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) April 3, 2013
All of the student-athletes entrusted to our care deserve much better.
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) April 3, 2013
As we move on from this, I’m very optimistic that @rutgersu will select a new head coach who not only puts a winning team on the court…
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) April 3, 2013
…but will make everyone proud of the example he sets every day for the young men in his charge.
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) April 3, 2013
