Everybody's sorry about something

Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane's apology was short Monday morning, if not necessarily sweet.

Thank goodness it wasn't short and tweet, which is how so many athletes express their feelings these days.

"I put myself in the wrong position at the wrong time," Kane said before adding, "I sincerely apologize."

He couldn't say much more because the accusations against him -­ assaulting and robbing a cabdriver in Buffalo on Aug. 9 - are pending.

Anyway, no rules exist on how anybody is supposed to treat somebody else's apology.

The brain processes the data - who the apologist is, his history, the offense, the circumstances, the delivery - and spits out a gut reaction.

All I know is that sports apologies are becoming nearly a daily occurrence. As we speak, surely a basketball coach somewhere is saying he's sorry for throwing beer on a cabdriver's dog.

Within the past week alone there were Kane, football player Mike Vick, Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino and Wrigley Field beer-tosser John Macchione.

Let's take them one at a time and I'll tell you my knee-jerk reaction to listening to each say he is sorry.

Patrick Kane: Apology accepted.

Millionaire or not, we're talking about a 20-year-old. Even if I thought Kane has a little bit of a cocky, mischievous air about him, as far as I know these are the first serious allegations against him.

To me it's important whether we're talking about an isolated incident or a pattern of behavior.

Now I'll just let the legal system run its course.

Mike Vick: Apology moot.

Involvement in the heinous acts of killing dogs and funding dogfighting already cost Vick nearly two years in prison and a reported $139 million.

It doesn't matter whether Vick apologizes, which he has done in numerous forums.

Words mean little. All that means anything is whether he becomes a better man and helps fight dogfighting.

If Vick lapses, his apologies will be nothing more than a sorry reflection of him.

Rick Pitino: Apology rejected.

This isn't just some youngster who cheated on his wife and funded what turned out to be an abortion. Come to think of it, this isn't even just some middle-aged man.

No, it's Rick Pitino, who projected himself as superior. I always thought he was a little smarmy, yet he liked to pontificate on basketball and life.

Remember, this is a person whose job is to mentor young men and represent an institution of higher learning in an ethical manner.

The only credible apology Pitino could issue is his resignation as the face of the school to spare it any more embarrassment and controversy.

John Macchione: Apology assessment deferred.

The Bartlett resident appeared sincere while saying "I'm sorry for what I did" after dousing Shane Victorino with a beer from the bleachers.

Only the Phillies' outfielder can forgive Macchione. I hope he does and also that forgiveness teaches the 21-year-old a lesson.

OK, so that's how I view these cases, though each is subject to further review.

My apologies to anyone offended by the opinions expressed here.

mimrem@dailyherald.com