Jason Whitlock and Scottie Scheffler (Photos via @WhitlockJason/Twitter & Getty Images)
Jason Whitlock has backtracked from his criticism of golfer Scottie Scheffler following the release of a new video showing the PGA Tour star’s arrest.
Whitlock suggested that Scheffler should have simply complied with the police after the world No. 1 was arrested last Friday.
“All Scottie Scheffler had to do was comply,” he tweeted after the news broke ahead of the PGA Championship’s second round.
Well, he’s caught wind of the newly-released surveillance footage, which strongly suggests that the police officer who arrested Scheffler was stretching the truth as far as he possibly could have when he claimed to have been dragged by a non-compliant Scheffler.
The slip has sparked outrage online and prompted a reaction from Whitlock, who tweeted the following in response:
“Cop lied about being dragged. Scheffler complied. Cop overreacted. I was wrong.”
Fans Applaud Jason Whitlock For His Admission
While he has been slammed for jumping the gun instead of reserving judgment, Jason Whitlock was also applauded for his admission.
“Look at this guy update his position with new evidence,” an X user wrote. “Why can’t everyone be like this? Kudos!”
“Props for the admission most don’t do that,” wrote another.
One comment read: “Props to acknowledging that your original take on this was wrong….respect.”
“Ya and you were annoying about it. I like you Jason… best be more careful going forward with needing to comment on everything right away,” a fan advised.
Meanwhile, the police officer in question, Bryan Gillis, has been disciplined internally by the Louisville Metro Police Department for not having his body camera turned on. The city’s police chief revealed as much during a press conference on Thursday.
Still, the charges against Scheffler remain.
It will be interesting to see how things go for the golfer. His lawyer has declared that there will be no settlement.