Alvin Kamara says he 'embarrassed' his team and family after 2022 Las Vegas fight
Saints star Alvin Kamara said Friday that he “embarrassed” his team, his family and New Orleans by getting into a fight outside a Vegas casino before the 2022 Pro Bowl.
Kamara recently excepted a plea deal from the Clark County DA’s office. He was sentenced to 30 hours of community service and agreed to pay for the victim’s medical expenses, which totaled more than $105,000. He also settled a lawsuit filed by the victim.
“I never want to be involved in something where someone gets hurt or severely injured or anything,” Alvin Kamara told reporters. He said it was “poor judgment on my end. Definitely a bad decision, but I’m a man. Everything I’ve ever done in my life I stood (up for). And I can take accountability for and I can say when I’m wrong.”
Kamara added: “I was completely wrong, embarrassed the Saints, embarrassed my family and my mother, embarrassed myself and embarrassed the city. And … obviously embarrassed the NFL.”
Kamara , the former Tennessee Volunteer star, said he tried to keep his legal problems away from the team as best he could.
“I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t tough, I lost a lot throughout this ordeal, ” he said. “I’m definitely not looking for any pity. I’m not looking for somebody to give me a pat on the back and say it’s okay. I know what I did, I know what I was involved in. And I definitely take responsibility for it. That’s part of being a man and growing. From here, I just got to make the right decisions and make the right choices.”
Alvin Kamara met with Roger Goodell earlier this week
Alvin Kamara traveled to New York this week to meet with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. He acknowledged that he likely will be suspended for the fight. But it’s unclear how many games he’ll need to miss as part of the discipline for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Friday that Kamara’s suspension will be three games.
Kamara said he appreciated the chance to meet with Goodell. The running back asked for the in-person meeting, which he said wasn’t league protocol.
He said he doesn’t think the Saints offense will miss a beat without him in the lineup. However, Alvin Kamara is one of the top backs in the league. The Saints signed former Lions running back Jamaal Williams in the off season, perhaps knowing the team would need him most early in the season.
“They’re gonna keep moving,” Kamara said of his offensive teammates. “I don’t expect any drop off, I don’t expect any drop off in our (running back) room, specifically.”
Saints coach Dennis Allen told reporters earlier this week that he excused Kamara from camp to fly to NYC for the meeting.
“Let’s get some resolution to where we’re at and then let’s move forward,” Allen said. “So, I think Alvin, you know, is looking forward to putting this behind him and focusing in on what he has to do to be the best he can for our team this season.”