ALLEN PARK -- Detroit Lions center Dominic Raiola has privately and publicly apologized for taunting members of the Wisconsin Marching Band.

He spoke personally with band director Michael Leckrone and pledged a "significant donation" to the band's fund.

"My interaction with the Wisconsin Marching Band was inappropriate," Raiola said in a statement released through the team. "I apologize to those I offended along with all of the members of Wisconsin's Marching Band.



"I also apologize to the Lions' organization and my teammates. I understand the standards to which we should conduct ourselves, and my actions Sunday fell dramatically short of those standards."

Raiola is accused by multiple sources of hurling insults at band members before the national anthem at Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers. He's accused by at least one band member of using a homophobic slur.

Lions president Tom Lewand said he's satisfied with Raiola's "sincere" mea culpa, as well as the donation, and the team won't further discipline him.



"After investigating the matter and discussing Sunday's events with Dominic, we are pleased that he has taken ownership of his actions and admitted those actions were wrong and unacceptable," Lewand said in a written statement. "As we said yesterday, his actions were not reflective of the standard of behavior that we expect from any player or any member of our organization."