Todd Helton Speaks Publicly About DUI

After a quiet arrival at Talking Stick earlier this week, Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton spoke publicly on Sunday about his DUI arrest earlier this month. I do not have much to offer on this subject other than the same disappointment experienced by other Rockies fans. I just appreciate what seems like genuine contrition from Helton. I appreciate an apology that acknowledges the seriousness of what he did and how much worse it could have been.

Helton addressed the media for the first time on Sunday. Image: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Courtesy of the Denver Post, where you can also find video of his comments, here are some of the quotes from Helton:

“Last week I got behind the wheel of my truck after I had drank. All I can do now is apologize and ask for forgiveness. I spoke to my teammates today, and they were very supportive…I’m very grateful to my wife, my family, my teammates and the Colorado Rockies organization for their support. I am determined to learn from my mistakes, and I’ve gotten help.”

Presumably time and energy will be spent on those last three words. You can’t help but wonder, at least for a moment, what exactly he means when he says he’s “gotten help.” I know I wonder, but in the end it is enough for me to hear that Helton is genuinely sorry for what he did and genuinely wants forgiveness. He also seems to understand that he has to work for that.

We’ve always said that Todd Helton is classy no matter the circumstances. Now we know that includes the worst of circumstances.