robert_powell_ryan_moats.jpgDALLAS (AP) _ An NFL pro football player detained by a police officer in a hospital parking lot while his mother-in-law was dying inside says he accepts the officer's apology.


Houston Texans running back Ryan Moats also told ABC television on Monday that he hopes Officer Robert Powell was sincere in his apology. The officer issued a written apology Friday over the March 18 traffic stop.

Moats' wife, Tamishia, says she'd like to hear the apology personally, but that she too would definitely accept it.

Powell was placed on paid leave pending an internal investigation. The officer pulled out his gun and threatened Moats with jail as the player pleaded to go inside. Moats' mother-in-law died before he got there.

The Moats family, who are black, has said they can't help but think that race might have played a part in the white officer's behavior.

Pictured above are Officer Robert Powell, left, and Ryan Moats, right.