Nick Fairley Tells The Lions He's Sorry

Detroit Lions DT Nick Fairley Attending NFL Rookie Symposium

Detroit Lions defensive tackle is in Ohio this morning. Fairley, who was arrested twice during the offseason, is there to attend the Rookie Symposium, the NFL's crash course on everything from history of the game to personal responsibility for players.

Fairley and his fellow rookies missed the opportunity to attend the Symposium last year. The event was a casualty of the lockout.

The second-year defensive tackle made a special request to attend the event, according to the Lions' official website. Fairley told the league and his team that he believed he would benefit from it. He is attending with rookies from the AFC, who began the Symposium on Thursday.

"Nick knows that his actions will speak louder than his words in accepting responsibility and moving forward," Lions president Tom Lewand told detroitlions.com Thursday. "Asking to attend this year's symposium is clearly a positive action and a step in the right direction."

Fairley was arrested in the offseason for marijuana possession and a DUI. Two other members of his team's 2011 draft class were also arrested this spring, including two pot possession arrests for running back Mikel Leshoure.

Get more updates from the Rookie Symposium in this StoryStream. For more on the Lions, visit Pride of Detroit.

Nick Fairley Apologizes After DUI Arrest

On May 27, Detroit Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley was arrested on charges of driving under the influence and attempting to elude police. It was the second arrest of the offseason for Fairley and it is likely that the Lions were none too pleased with his extracurricular activities.

On Friday, Fairley released the following statement via his Facebook page:

After taking some much-needed time to reflect on recent incidents, and after conversations with my advisors, teammates, and members of the Lions organization, I would like to make the following statement:

I want to personally apologize to my fans, teammates and the Detroit Lions organization for bringing this unwanted attention to our team. I recognize my actions were inexcusable and I personally need to uphold the expected standard of behavior of a professional athlete. I do not take for granted this opportunity and feel blessed everyday to play in the NFL.

At this time, I am fully cooperating with the Mobile, Ala. Police Department. I am now focused on moving forward and committing my focus to football. I would like to thank everyone for your concern and understanding.

Hopefully Fairley will stick to his statement and focus on his profession going forward.

For more on Fairley and the Lions, visit Pride of Detroit and SB Nation Detroit.

Nick Fairley's Arrest Doesn't Mean Lions Will Give Up On Him

Detroit Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley was arrested for a DUI and eluding police over the weekend. While it's another mark on Fairley's record after coming out of Auburn as the Lions first-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, Dave Birkett says expecting something as drastic as his release is unrealistic.

Some fans have gone overboard asking for Fairley, Leshoure and others to be released. That's not going to happen, of course. They're too talented and too important -- one person within the organization went so far as to say Fairley looked "great" in practice before his most recent arrest -- and the Lions already are financially vested in both.

If Fairley is ever going to reach his potential and be a dominant player in the NFL like he was at Auburn, he'll need to get all his ducks in a row and begin to focus on football.

For more on Fairley and the Lions, visit Pride of Detroit and SB Nation Detroit.

Nick Fairley Arrested For DUI, Attempting To Elude Police

Detroit Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley was arrested for driving under the influence, his second arrest in as many months.