Wyoming's Allen apologizes after racist tweets resurface

Former Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen apologized early Thursday morning for offensive tweets he made while in high school in 2012 and 2013. Allen, who will turn 22 next month, could be the top overall pick in Thursday's 2018 NFL Draft, which will be held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Allen told ESPN's Stephen A. Smith that he was "young and dumb" when he made the posts that included racial slurs. "If I could go back in time, I would never have done this in a heartbeat," Allen told ESPN's Chris Mortensen on Thursday. "At the time, I obviously didn't know how harmful it was and now has become. "I hope you know and others know I'm not the type of person I was at 14 and 15 that I tweeted so recklessly. ... I don't want that to be the impression of who I am, because that is not me. I apologize for what I did." The tweets, which were published by Yahoo Sports, have since been deleted from his account. Yahoo Sports said many of the tweets contained racial slurs toward African Americans. Allen told Smith that some of the tweets made reference to rap lyrics and television, including a quote that was part of an episode from the sitcom "Modern Family." After being asked "Why are you so white?" Allen responded, "If it ain't white, it ain't right!" in June 2013. A 2011 posting read: "I hate LeBron," which isn't offensive -- although James currently plays for the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cleveland Browns are reporting mulling between Allen and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield of Oklahoma for the top overall pick, multiple media outlets reported this week. Cleveland also holds the No. 4 overall pick of the draft by virtue of a trade with the Houston Texans last year. The Browns, who limped to an 0-16 mark last year and are 1-31 in the last two seasons, haven't fared well when selecting a quarterback with their first-round pick. Since 1999, the team has chosen the following: Kentucky's Tim Couch (No. 1 overall, 1999), Notre Dame's Brady Quinn (No. 22 overall, 2007), Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden (No. 22 overall, 2012) and Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel (No. 22 overall, 2014). NFLDraftScout.com senior analyst Rob Rang lists USC quarterback Sam Darnold first in his most recent Big Board. UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen, Penn State running back Saquon Barkley, Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson and North Carolina State defensive end Bradley Chubb round out the top five. Allen is ranked 10th by Rang, Mayfield is 13th and Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson is 23rd. Regardless of which team picks him, Allen said he hopes his future NFL teammates will understand that he is a changed person from his high school days. "That's my plan -- to show the type of person I am now," Allen said. "Whatever team picks me, they are going to get that from me. I will set the record straight for any team, any teammate, the media, and I think once they meet me and they're around me, see how I act and how I think, that it's not going to be a problem at all." Wyoming coach Craig Bohl issued support of Allen with a statement on Thursday. "I know Josh has apologized for the Twitter comments he made while in high school," the 59-year-old Bohl said. "As a member of our football team, he had great relationships with his teammates and our fanbase. During his time at Wyoming, he embraced diversity. We wish him all the best on his big night." Allen, who threw for 1,966 yards with 19 touchdowns last season, said Tuesday that Cleveland was among seven teams that he visited. Listed at 6-foot-5, 237 pounds, Allen ran the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine in 4.75 seconds with a 33 1/2-inch vertical jump. Rang said the knock on Allen is his completion percentage. Tyrod Taylor, who was the Buffalo Bills' primary quarterback over the last three seasons, was acquired by the Browns in the offseason. The 28-year-old Taylor played in 15 games for the Bills last year and completed 62.6 percent of his passes for 2,799 yards and 14 touchdowns with four interceptions. Taylor is joined by quarterback Drew Stanton, who has started 17 games and appeared in 38 total during his NFL career with the Detroit Lions (2007-11), Indianapolis Colts (2012) and Arizona Cardinals (2013-17). He has completed 345 of 659 passes for 4,059 yards with 20 touchdowns.