Florida Gators four-star defensive tackle commitment Leon Orr (New Port Richey, FL) said Thursday that he is not now nor has he ever been a member of a gang. Orr was forced to make a statement addressing two images that have been circulating throughout the Internet picturing him holding what appears to be a gun and flashing gang signs.
“There are two pictures being rotated around the Internet, and I want to address that whole situation about them being gang-related,” Orr told the St. Petersburg Times. “They’re not at all. They were done so long ago. I’m far from that. The pictures may look like that. But it was never meant to be perceived in that way. They were taken a long time ago before I knew I would be put in the spotlight. It was just me and a bunch of friends. It was never meant to be taken out of context and of me being in a gang. I know it looks bad, but at the same time it’s just a rap group. But that picture has nothing to do with anything. We started that group a long time ago. We were just a bunch of young, crazy kids. It was never about violence.”
Orr also told the Times that the first picture, which was taken in middle school, misrepresents him because he is only holding a plastic pellet gun. The second image, depicting Orr holding up his hands with the words “Collect Money Cartel” underneath, was only taken to promote a rap group now called the Merk Boys, Orr said. Nevertheless, he has been quite distraught over the past few hours and made sure to take a moment to show regret for any confusion or aggravation these pictures may have caused.
“I would like to apologize to the Gator Nation for these crazy accusations and the situation I’ve put myself in to be viewed as such a thing, which is completely untrue, while representing the University of Florida,” Orr continued. “I want to let them know, I’ve grown up and been around violence and drugs all my life. I would never jeopardize the chance to better my living standards.”
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