Dave Doeren Responds to Payton Wilson’s Arrest

Yesterday NC State Head Coach Dave Doeren met with the media in his press conference to breakdown the 17 2020 players that signed their letter of intent to play for the Wolfpack, and during the presser he did address Linebacker Payton Wilson’s arrest over the weekend.

Obviously, it’s a very unfortunate, disappointing situation. One that he’s going to learn a lot from. I sat down with him. I sat down with his family. He feels horrible about it. I know that he put something out regarding that, and it’s on him now to build it back. Time is going to be important in what he does after that. As far as where we go from there, that will be up to us and him and the program. (GoPack)

On Tuesday morning, Wilson made a statement via his Twitter account, apologizing for his actions.

I want to apologize to my coaches, teammates, NC State University and Wolfpack Nation for my actions last weekend. That behavior does not represent who I am as a person and who we are as a team. I sincerely regret it and I look forward to making up for my mistakes!

— 11 (@payton_wilson21) December 17, 2019

In this life we make mistakes, and there are consequences for them, and we have to learn from them. Wilson doesn’t have to wear this moment in his life like a scarlet letter, and none of us should continually try to place one on him. In the years to come, Wilson can be remembered for the man he becomes from this moment forward, not by a mistake he made one Saturday night.