ATLANTA – Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson issued a public apology after using an offensive term during a live interview on Amazon’s “Thursday Night Football” postgame show. Robinson made the remark while joking about a childhood game with an insensitive name and quickly acknowledged the language was inappropriate.
The incident occurred after the Falcons’ dramatic 29-28 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Analyst Richard Sherman asked Robinson about his ability to evade defenders, prompting Robinson to reference the backyard game by name.
Robinson, 23, later posted an apology on X, saying he recognized his mistake and would “make sure to do better in the future.” He emphasized that the comment did not reflect his beliefs and expressed regret to those offended.
The Falcons star has been one of the NFL’s breakout players this season, nearing 2,000 all-purpose yards. His on-field success has made him a central figure in Atlanta’s offense, though the controversy has now overshadowed those achievements.
Robinson’s apology comes amid broader conversations in sports about language and inclusivity. The NFL has previously partnered with advocacy groups to promote respect and equality, and Robinson’s comment drew swift backlash online.