After being detained by police on Wednesday, former tennis pro James Blake is speaking out.
Blake told Robin Roberts on "Good Morning America" he was "a little shaken up" and had some "bumps and bruises" after being tackled by an NYPD officer on Wendesday, but said the incident could have been worse. Officials said he was detained as part of an ongoing investigation into fraudulently purchased cell phones.
"I'm happy that my reaction was that I was actually smiling at the person because I could see how if I put my arms up or if I did anything it could be a sign of showing some sort of resistance," he said. "Instead of having a little bruise on my leg, I might have some broken bones or some actual injuries because it didn't seem like he was slowing down and he was going to continue that tackle."
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Blake called the excessive use of force "so blatant."
"I was standing there, doing nothing, not running, not resisting, in fact smiling," he said. "If a video ever does come to the media, you can see that I'm smiling. Just minutes earlier, a reporter walking by recognized me and asked me a few questions."
The former tennis pro told Roberts he has yet to hear from the NYPD.
"I haven't heard anything, but I'd be surprised if they were making a concerted effort since I've been contacted by a lot of media sources that have been able to find my number and I haven't heard anything from the police," he said.
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During his interview, the athlete explained that he wants officials explain their actions and apologize.
"I'd like an apology. I'd like an explanation for how they conducted themselves. I think we all need to be held accountable for our actions, and police as well. I do think that most cops are doing a great job, but when you police with reckless abandon you need to be held accountable," he said. "[Police doing] work the wrong way need to pay for those actions and be shown either the door or whatever they need to do to punish them."
Later on Thursday, New York Police Department Commissioner William J. Bratton spoke out and apologized to Blake.
"We are very interested in speaking with Mr. Blake … to extend our apology. It should not have happened," Bratton said, per New York's NBC News.
Bratton also noted he had "concerns about the takedown" and "use of force."
On Wednesday, a spokesperson from the NYPD released a statement regarding the incident.
"Today James Blake was detained by police in midtown Manhattan in regards to an ongoing investigation into fraudulently purchased cell phones, after being misidentified by a cooperating witness. Once Blake was properly identified and found to have no connection to the investigation, he was released from police custody immediately. In regards to the alleged improper use of force, the Police Commissioner directed the Internal Affairs Bureau to investigate," the statement read.
-- Jesse Spero
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