Steve Sarkisian apologizes for drunken behavior at USC booster event

USC coach Steve Sarkisian has issued an apology for his behavior at a booster function Saturday night.

“I sincerely apologize to my players and staff and to our fans for my behavior and my inappropriate language at our kickoff event Saturday night. I have a responsibility to all of them, and I let them down,” Sarkisian said in a statement posted to the school’s athletic website. “Pat Haden talked to me after the event about my actions, and I assured him this will not happen again.”

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The apology comes after various reports surfaced that Sarkisian was drunk, using inappropriate language in front of the school’s signature “Fight On” slogan, and told an obscene joke to the crowd at a Salute To Troy event. When asked about the Trojans difficult schedule, Sarkisian said of USC’s opponents: “They all suck.”

According to reports, Sarkisian ultimately was ushered off stage by athletic director Pat Haden and John McKay Jr., son of former Trojan legend John McKay.

Haden also issued a statement via the school’s athletic website:

“I met with Coach Sarkisian, and I expressed my disappointment in the way he represented himself and the university at our Salute to Troy event. While the details of our conversation will remain between us, I am confident he heard my message loud and clear.”

This isn’t the first time Sarkisian has allowed his mouth to get the best of him. During Pac-12 media days last month, Sarkisian took a jab at Oregon’s array of uniforms. While the head coach at Washington, Sarkisian took a shot at Cal during a booster event.

"Every time I'd always see Cal getting these guys ... I'm like how is Cal, the CAL BEARS!” Sarkisian said at the time. “They haven't been to the Rose Bowl in a hundred and eighty-eight years. Like how are they getting anybody?"

Sarkisian was 9-4 in his first season at USC’s head coach and his Trojans are ranked No. 8 in the recently released preseason AP Poll and are one of the favorites to win the Pac-12. USC opens the 2015 season on Sept. 5 against Arkansas State.

For more USC news, visit TrojanSports.com.

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Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter! Follow @YahooDrSaturday

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