Dominic Raiola apologizes, gives donation to Wisconsin marching band

Raiola did his best Tuesday to make amends for the verbal altercation he had with the Badgers' marching band at Lambeau Field on Sunday.

By Steven Muma@akulawolf Oct 8, 2013, 3:18pm EDT

Detroit Lions center Dominic Raiola apologized Tuesday for verbally abusing the Wisconsin marching band, and said he is making a "significant donation" to The Marching Band Fund, which supports the Badgers' band.

More: Lions fans react to the Raiola apology.

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

Wisconsin band director Michael Leckrone told SB Nation on Monday that Raiola directed obscene and homophobic comments toward members of the band. One band member posted some details of the encounter on Facebook. Raiola has since spoken to Leckrone on the phone to apologize for the remarks.

Raiola has twice been fined for inappropriate conduct with fans; in 2008, an altercation with Detroit fans cost him $7,500, and he was fined $15,000 for obscene words and a hand gesture directed at a Dolphins fan, in 2010.

Now that he has apologized to the Wisconsin band, the Lions don't plan any additional disciplinary action.