Michigan AD Warde Manuel Denies Apologizing to Chris Webber over 2003 Investigation

AP Photo/Jessica Hill

University of Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel denied Friday that he apologized to Chris Webber during a recent conversation.

In an interview with ESPN’s Myron Medcalf on Wednesday, Webber said Manuel apologized to him for the manner in which the University of Michigan handled a 2003 investigation into Webber’s accepting payment from booster Ed Martin during his time as a player with the Wolverines from 1991-93:

“I was told by the athletic director at the University of Michigan that he was sorry. And he wasn’t even there at the time [I was playing]. He told me that he did his research and that he needs to apologize. His exact words [were] he needs ‘to apologize to the 18-year-old Chris Webber because we didn’t protect him.'”

In a statement (h/t Medcalf) released Friday, Manuel said he never apologized to Webber:

“I enjoyed the conversation with Chris when we met several years ago. But I can assure you I made no apology to Chris and, for those who may be curious, I never asked him to apologize to the University of Michigan. I wish Chris nothing but the best, and I’m happy that he’s being inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.”

Webber will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday.

This article will be updated to provide more information on this story as it becomes available.

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