Auburn: Players didn't act 'with disrespectful intent'

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) - Auburn University says two players accused of harassing a military veteran and her service dog didn't act "with disrespectful intent."

The university posted a statement on its Facebook page Monday night citing the accounts from defensive linemen Andrew Williams and Dontavius Russell.

The post says Williams tried to get the dog's attention and didn't realize it was a service dog or that the woman was a disabled veteran.

Auburn says Russell wasn't involved and was just walking to class.

On the post, Williams apologized to 25-year-old student Ashley Ozyurt "for raising my voice." He says he "was startled and totally misunderstood the situation." Ozyurt suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and says the incident left her in tears.

Auburn's Office of Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity is reviewing the incident.