SAN ANTONIO – Following is a transcript of an interview conducted by "Good Morning America" anchor George Stephanopoulos with suspended John Jay football players Victor Rojas, Michael Moreno and their attorney Jesse Hernandez:
George Stephanopoulos: And we are joined now by Victor Rojas, Michael Moreno and their attorney Jesse Hernandez. Thanks for joining us. That video so shocking to so many people. Victor, I just want to know what was going through your mind at that moment?
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Victor Rojas: I didn't -- I don't -- I can't explain.
George Stephanopoulos: You can't explain. You just weren't thinking?
Victor Rojas: I was doing what I was told.
George Stephanopoulos: Doing what you were told.
Victor Rojas: Yes, sir.
George Stephanopoulos: By whom?
Victor Rojas: Well, a player had came over and told me that the coach...
George Stephanopoulos: The coach told you to do it.
Victor Rojas: Yes, sir.
George Stephanopoulos: And Michael?
Michael Moreno: When it was happening, I just realized the gravity of the situation. You know, like this was actually happening, and like I couldn't fully go through with it. So like at the end, I pulled up a lot, like knowing what's actually like going on and it was just -- it was hard for me, you know, during the whole thing just to actually do what I did. And, you know, to this day I regret it. It's one of my biggest regrets and it's been affecting my life greatly now.
George Stephanopoulos: Victor said your coach told you to do it.
Michael Moreno: Yes, that's correct.
George Stephanopoulos: What did he say?
Michael Moreno: Well, before, you know, I had got put into the game. The previous safety that was in, he had got injured and while on the sideline he pulled me and another player over and he told us and I quote, "You need to hit him."
George Stephanopoulos: Another player said this?
Michael Moreno: No, no, the coach. The coach. He pulled me and another player and told us, "You need to hit the ref. He needs to pay the price."
George Stephanopoulos: For what?
Michael Moreno: Just for everything that's been going on in the game. There was racial slurs being thrown at, you know, players, from this referee. There was, you know, unjustified calls. You know, it was just a lot going on and I guess his emotions got, you know, mixed into it and he told us to do what we did.
George Stephanopoulos: A lot of people would say, "Boy, the coach told you to do that," but you knew it was wrong, right?
Michael Moreno: You put your trust into this, you know, grown-up, a guardian, your coach who's been there since for me since my sophomore/freshman year. And, you know, I trusted him. You know, that he wants the best for me and I just do -- did what I was told.
George Stephanopoulos: The referee as you know has said he didn't use any racial slurs. Did you hear the referee use any racial slurs?
Victor Rojas: Yes, sir, he told one of my Hispanic friends, he told him, "Speak english, this is America."
George Stephanopoulos: Did you hear that or one of your friends?
Victor Rojas: No, I heard it and then to an African-american on our team he told then the "n" word.
George Stephanopoulos: You heard him say the "n" word?
Victor Rojas: Yes, sir.
George Stephanopoulos: Did you?
Michael Moreno: Yes, I heard him when he called him, Moses Reynolds, the "n" word.
George Stephanopoulos: He says that's a lie.
Victor Rojas: That's not. It's the honest truth right there and I wouldn't lie about this situation, like just how bad it's gotten like the truth needs to be told.
George Stephanopoulos: What do you think should happen now?
Victor Rojas: You can't just do that because it's something you were told. But, you know, and I'm ready to face my consequences. I just ask that I am greatly sorry for this and I regret it greatly and I just hope that people can change their minds about us and that, you know, line up our consequences.
George Stephanopoulos: Up until this moment, you had a pretty good record in school. In the honor society.
Victor Rojas: Yes, sir.
George Stephanopoulos: What more do you want people to know about you and what happened?
Victor Rojas: Well, this -- everyone sees me as this thug, you know, or gangster, you know. I did this because I'm a bad guy, like that's not who I am. Underneath the helmet and the pads, you know, I'm really a great kid. Like, you know, school is my first priority. You know, I am aspiring to become an aerospace engineer.
George Stephanopoulos: And if you could speak with the referee, Robert Watts, right now, what would you say to him?
Michael Moreno: I would apologize for the mistake that I made.
George Stephanopoulos: The boys now are still under investigation, both from the school district and maybe even a possible criminal investigation. Where does it stand right now?
Jesse Hernandez: Right now, everything is still up in the air. The county attorney has not yet decided what type of charges, if any, are going to be filed. The school district is still waiting to have our hearing, but they also have the discretion to let these boys go back to school.
George Stephanopoulos: Michael said he wants to pay the right consequences. What do you think is the appropriate punishment?
Jesse Hernandez: I think they paid the appropriate punishment already. They've suffered three days of suspension, they've been in alternative school for a week. They're excluded from playing football for the rest of the season. I think that's enough. They've apologized. They are way sorry. They didn't mean to do this. I think they've been punished fairly enough.
George Stephanopoulos: And if you could take back that moment?
Victor Rojas: Of course, without a thought I would.
George Stephanopoulos: Thank you all very much.
Victor Rojas, Michael Moreno, Jesse Hernandez: Thank you.
