Jake Fromm’s private text messages went viral Thursday after they were made public.

Fromm mentions in the text messages (from March 2019) that gun suppressors should be very expensive so only “elite white people” can afford them. Screen shots of the text messages were made public on social media, and after gaining much attention, the quarterback offered a public apology.

“I am extremely sorry that I chose to use the words ‘elite white people’ in a text message conversation,” Fromm wrote on Twitter. “Although I never meant to imply that I am an ‘elite white person,’ as stated later in the conversation, there’s no excuse for that word choice and sentiment. While it was poor, my heart is not. Now, more than ever, is the time for support and togetherness and I stand against racism 100%. I promise to commit myself to being a part of the solution in this country. I addressed my teammates and coaches in a team meeting today and I hope they see this incident is not representative of the person I am. Again, I’m truly sorry for my words and actions and humbly ask for forgiveness.”

Later Thursday, the Buffalo Bills also made a public statement addressing the text messages. Fromm met with the team and publicly apologized.

The Macon Telegraph spoke to the woman who leaked the text messages on the condition of anonymity, and she explained why she made the texts public.

“I’m seeing and feeling the black lives matter movement,” said the woman. “I know that part of my job is to hold racists accountable, despite who they are.

“He has been completely silent despite his career being built off of black people,” she said in an exchange of messages with The Telegraph. “It’s about what he does behind closed doors in this situation.”