Phila. DA Says Riley Cooper's Racist Rant Should Become 'Teachable Moment'
By Tony Hanson
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia district attorney Seth Williams says Eagles team management has reached out to him as they deal with the aftermath of the video of wide receiver Riley Cooper's racial rant (see related story).
Oren Liebermann reports...
Today, Williams noted that he is very upset with the racially incendiary words used by Cooper, and has offered his thoughts "as to what they could to help him, but (also) to use this as a teachable moment -- not only for him, but maybe for the city as a whole to deal with racism and insensitive language, because often in my line of work those are fighting words. And a lot happens when people use insensitive words in the wrong situation," the DA said.
Hear DA Williams' full press conference in this CBS Philly podcast (runs 14:10)...
Press Conference
Williams says that at the request of the team he has compiled a list of community and faith-based organizations that Cooper could work with, or for, and hopes there will be a silver lining.
DA Williams says it is important that Cooper does something to continue the healing process by meeting with groups, talking with kids about what he learned from this, and not repeating his "ugly and repulsive behavior. "
