Suspended LB Reynolds apologizes for QB choke



The Buckeye will sit out Saturday's game against Iowa.
COLUMBUS (AP) -- Ohio State linebacker Robert Reynolds, flanked by his wife and teammates, said Tuesday he regretted jamming his fingers into the throat of Wisconsin quarterback Jim Sorgi and choking him.
Reynolds was suspended on Monday by No. 8 Ohio State for Saturday's game against No. 9 Iowa. He spoke for the first time publicly about the incident during the Buckeyes' weekly news conference.
"It was uncharacteristic of me, and I lost my poise for one second," Reynolds said.
The senior repeated his apologies to Sorgi -- who was unable to return to the game -- and to Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez. Reynolds also apologized to his family for "having them have to put up with what I've done."
Badgers backup soars
Sorgi's replacement, Matt Schabert, hit Lee Evans on a 79-yard touchdown pass with 5:20 remaining to give the Badgers a 17-10 victory over the defending national champions. The loss ended the Buckeyes' 19-game winning streak, longest in the Division I-A.
Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said he had consulted with Alvarez before arriving at the one-game suspension.
"I've had a chance to get to know Rob for three years, and it was not something that is a part of who Rob is," Tressel said. "While it was something that was unacceptable, it's also something that's tough to handle. And I think he'll do a good job of handling it well."
Reynolds said he regretted his actions.
"It's something that I haven't been taught, it's just something I did, and I regret it," he said. "It was one second that I wish I could take back."
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Reynolds sat next to his wife, Jennifer, with teammates Dustin Fox and Drew Carter on his other side.
"I want people to see me because I've been hearing stuff on the news that I'm a bad person. I wouldn't say I'm a bad person. I'm not a violent person," he said. "I just got carried away out there during the game. You play with your emotions, and I lost control of them for a second."
Reynolds attacked Sorgi as he got off of the quarterback during a third-quarter tackle. Sorgi had difficulty talking and breathing after the injury. He said he couldn't call out the signals loud enough to be heard by the other players, preventing him from returning to the game.
Reynolds will be permitted to practice with the Buckeyes this week.
He said the suspension would not alter how he plays.
"What's happened is not going to slow me down out there," he said. "I'm going to play twice as aggressive, I think, but I will play within the rules and I sincerely regret what I did."