NORMAN, Okla., March 11 (UPI) -- One of the two University of Oklahoma students expelled for leading a racist chant has apologized for his "wrong and reckless" behavior.
Parker Rice, a 19-year-old from Dallas, said Tuesday in a statement that he was "deeply sorry" for his role in the chant, which was caught on video and made national headlines.
"I made a horrible mistake by joining into the singing and encouraging others to do the same," Rice said, adding that his family has faced threats over the phone and social media.
I know everyone wants to know why or how this happened. I admit it likely was fueled by alcohol consumed at the house before the bus trip, but that's not an excuse. Yes, the song was taught to us, but that, too, doesn't work as an explanation. It's more important to acknowledge what I did and what I didn't do. I didn't say no, and I clearly dismissed an important value I learned at my beloved high school, Dallas Jesuit. We were taught to be 'Men for Others.' I failed in that regard, and in those moments, I also completely ignored the core values and ethics I learned from my parents and others.
Video of the chant appeared to show members of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity singing, "There will never be a n***** SAE. You can hang him from a tree, but he can never sign with me."
University of Oklahoma President David Boren condemned the students involved in the video and immediately severed school ties with the fraternity. Rice and Levi Pettit, another student featured prominently in the video, were expelled Tuesday.
Rice said he has learned a "devastating lesson."
"My goal for the long-term is to be a man who has the heart and the courage to reject racism wherever I see or experience it in the future," he added. "Thank you for your consideration of my deepest apologies for what I did."
Pettit's parents, Brody and Susan, released a statement on their son's behalf.
"As parents of Levi, we love him and care for him deeply," the Pettits said. "He made a horrible mistake, and will live with the consequences forever."
"However, we also know the depth of our son's character," they added. "He is a good boy, but what we saw in those videos is disgusting. While it may be difficult for those who only know Levi from the video to understand, we know his heart, and he is not a racist.
"Of course, we are sad for our son – but more importantly, we apologize to the community he has hurt," they continued. "We would also like to apologize to the entire African-American community, University of Oklahoma student body and administration."
