I spent the last several days processing the events that took place the night of May 27. And I wanted to come before you today in regret and sincerity to make this statement.

I spent the last five or six months talking to the media about growth and sobriety and maturing both as a person and an artist. Today I come before you as a person, a person who finally realizes that one of the greatest signs of growth is accountability.

I know despite the truth and actual details surrounding last week’s circumstance, the public has already made their decision based on how it appears in print.

Regardless of the exaggerated police and media reports issued surrounding last week’s incident, I do have this to say.

I am indeed in a relationship. And in relationships, there will be arguments. And I take full responsibility for my actions.

I was wrong and I’m embarrassed. I’m not placing the blame or pointing the finger at anyone – at Jennifer, at the police or the media.

I’m a human being who was involved in an argument. End of story.

I do want it to be known, however, that this argument was not elevated nor induced because of my being intoxicated. I’ve worked too hard and come this far. And to prove this, I asked to take a sobriety test and a Breathalyzer test and was denied the opportunity by the police officer on site.

So today I come before you as a human being, not a country artist, who at the end of the day, makes mistakes, just like anybody else. But at the end of this day, I’ll be able to look in the mirror happy, knowing that I was accountable.