Buffalo Bills rookie quarterback Jake Fromm apologizes for using phrase "elite white people" in text

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Buffalo Bills rookie quarterback Jake Fromm is apologizing for a text conversation from last year in which he used the phrase "elite white people" when talking about who should have access to guns.

In the conversation from March 2019 with a person not identified, Fromm texted:

"thought we were talkin about lots of stuff.
But no guns are good.
They need to let me get suppressors.
Just make them very expensive so only elite white people can get them haha."

The text conversation surfaced on social media today, where it was retweeted hundreds of times.

Fromm tweeted an apology shortly after 2 p.m. this afternoon:

'I am extremely sorry that I chose to use the words "elite white people" in a text message conversation. Although I never meant to imply that I am an "elite white person," as stated later in the conversation, there's no excuse for that word choice and sentiment. While it was poor, my heart is not. Now, more than ever, is the time for support and togetherness and I stand against racism 100%. I promise to commit myself to being a part of the solution in this country. I addressed my teammates and coaches in a team meeting today and I hope they see this incident is not representative of the person I am. Again, I'm truly sorry for my words and actions and humbly ask for forgiveness.'

Fromm was a junior at the University of Georgia at the time of the text conversation.

The Bills drafted Fromm in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. The team's defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier commented on the situation Thursday afternoon.

“We’re still getting to know Jake as a teammate," Frazier said. "We haven’t been in the locker room together, but based on what he said to the team today, I really believe our guys will give him the benefit of the doubt and they’re looking forward to communicating and encouraging him and it definitely sounds like he’s learned from this mistake."

In a statement released by the team, the Bills said: “Earlier today, we became aware of comments made in a text message conversation involving Jake Fromm in 2019. He was wrong and he admitted it to us. We don’t condone what he said. Jake was honest and forthcoming to us about the text exchange. He asked for an opportunity to address and apologize to his teammates and coaches today in a team meeting, which he did. We will continue to work with Jake on the responsibilities of being a Buffalo Bill on and off the field.”