CHARLOTTE — Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette addressed his recent ejection from Friday’s preseason game against the Cleveland Browns, expressing regret for his actions that led to a fight with Browns safety Rayshawn Jenkins.
Legette spoke about the incident after Monday’s training camp practice, acknowledging that emotions played a role in the altercation. “It was just a little something that had happened,” Legette said, adding it was “something like” emotions got the best of him.
He reiterated his apology for being ejected and missing the remainder of the game. “It was just something I shouldn’t have did. That’s not supposed to happen in a football game, and I just feel like I owed the fans an apology,” said Legette. “I wasn’t in disbelief; I knew what was going on. But it ain’t supposed to happen.”
Head coach Dave Canales commented on Legette’s response following the incident. “He bounced back quickly,” said Canales. “We had a great conversation afterwards. He knows, you know, he wasn’t defensive about it. He’s like, ‘I got to be better,’ and, you know, kind of just moved on, and he was ready to work today.”
Canales noted that Legette appeared well-rested at Monday’s practice due to his early exit from Friday’s game: “I mean, he’s got fresh legs,” joked Canales. “I think he only played that (one) drive and so of all the guys, probably the freshest coming out there.”
Legette clarified there were no verbal exchanges or prior incidents with Jenkins leading up to the fight during joint practices earlier in the week. He attributed it instead to continued physical play after the whistle: “He ain’t say nothing. We ain’t have no exchanging of words,” explained Legette. “It’s just something happened.”
With league rules prohibiting fighting and specifically throwing punches, Legette acknowledged he is likely facing a fine but has not yet received notice from the NFL. “I ain’t had nothing yet, but I’m looking for it,” Legette admitted.
Looking ahead, Legette said he plans to avoid similar situations in future games: “I won’t put a finger up (next time),” promised Legette. “Just keep the main thing, the main thing. I know I ain’t supposed to do what I did.”
