Liverpool’s Elliott apologizes for video making fun of Harry Kane

File this story under “things I didn’t know happened until after it was already over.” The Guardian is reporting that a teenage Liverpool player has apologized for his role in a video that emerged online that shows him making a “offensive impersonation” of Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane, and that calls him a “f—king m—ng” on his personal Snapchat.

Harvey Elliott, 16, posted an apology on his Instagram taking full responsibility for the video.

I can’t seem to find the video where he makes the impersonation. I didn’t look very hard. I don’t need to see it I don’t think it really matters — I think we can ALL divine what a “offensive impersonation” of Kane would look and sound like. And I think we can let this one slide.

As the parent of a teenager myself, I know this is the kind of incredibly stupid stuff that all teenagers do at some point in their lives when they’re joking around with their friends. Teenagers are, generally speaking, idiots who think they’re bulletproof and have little real understanding of the consequences of their behavior. That’s not to fully excuse Elliott’s behavior, but he is literally a child who made a stupid mistake, has apologized, and probably won’t do it again. These are the kind of important life lessons that (often) help make you a better person and well rounded adult. That’s good enough for me.

Nobody to my knowledge has asked Harry Kane about the incident, and as far as I’m concerned, nobody should. Although, this being Harry, I’m willing to bet that he has probably already reached out to Elliott to let him know that it’s okay. That’s the kind of guy Harry is.

Hopefully Elliott has learned something about the ubiquity of social media in this modern age and that even sophomoric stunts like this have the ability to leak out and damage your reputation. But as an adult and especially as the parent of a teenager, I don’t think there’s a whole lot of value in castigating Elliott any further.

From a Tottenham Dad to a Liverpool kid — I’m disappointed in you Harvey, but I know you’ve learned your lesson and will do better next time. And cut your hair, you hippie!