New England Patriots rookie kicker Justin Rohrwasser instructed WBZ-TV in Boston on Monday that he’ll take away a tattoo on his arm related to “The Three Percenters” — a right-wing militia group — as a result of it does not signify who he’s.
Rohrwasser, 23, mentioned he was 18 when he obtained the tattoo.
“As quickly as I noticed what it was linked to on Saturday, it was precisely that point I knew I needed to get it completely taken off my physique,” he mentioned. “I mentioned cowl it up [to reporters], however I wish to get it faraway from my physique. It is shameful that I had it on there ignorantly.”
Rohrwasser, who was chosen within the NFL draft‘s fifth spherical Saturday (No. 159 total), instructed Patriots reporters that day that he thought the tattoo stood for supporting the army and mentioned he “ought to have carried out far more analysis earlier than I put any mark or image like that on my physique.”
In the television interview Monday, he added, “It was described to me as the proportion of colonists that rose up towards the federal government of the British. I used to be like, ‘Wow, that’s such an American sentiment, a patriotic sentiment.’ Coming from a army household, I assumed that actually spoke to me. I all the time was proud to be an American. I am very proud to be an American.”
On its web site, the Three Percenters group says it is not an anti-government militia, however “we are going to defend ourselves when crucial.”
Rohrwasser, who’s from Clifton Park, New York, started his faculty profession on the College of Rhode Island (2015-16) earlier than transferring to Marshall College. He was named Convention USA Particular Groups Participant of the Yr in 2019 after changing 18 of 21 discipline objectives, with an extended of 53 yards, whereas going 35-of-36 on additional factors.
Requested by WBZ-TV lead sports activities reporter Steve Burton on Monday if the tattoo was a difficulty at Marshall, Rohrwasser mentioned, “No, by no means. The primary time I came upon what it was linked to was on Saturday. That is why it was so stunning. …
“We had been celebrating and hugging [on Saturday]. So glad. I went on to Twitter. I noticed that somebody had taken an image of me and put it with my tattoo and linking me to some horrific occasions — clearly Charlottesville and these horrible issues.”
Rohrwasser appeared to develop into emotional within the interview.
“I am sorry for all my [friends] and household that must defend me. Placing them in that compromising place is likely one of the largest regrets I will ever have. To them, I am sorry,” he mentioned. “I’ll be taught from this. I’ll take possession of it. This isn’t who I’m. It doesn’t matter what, that is not who I’m. Hopefully, you’ll all discover that out.”
The Patriots had Rohrwasser as their top-rated kicker and made him the primary participant on the place chosen on this yr’s draft. The group has a emptiness after releasing its all-time main scorer, Stephen Gostkowski, in March.
