Russell Crowe has apologized for a bar fight involving members of his rugby league team, accepting the blame for one of his player's brawling.

The actor, who co-owns Australia's South Sydney Rabbitohs club, has opened up about the altercation in a letter printed in Sydney's Daily Telegraph. He admits he was "embarrassed" after star player David Fa'alogo reportedly knocked out Coach Jason Taylor during end-of-season celebrations earlier this year.

Crowe, who was not present during the incident, blames himself for failing to ensure the team maintained proper conduct.

He writes, "I blame myself for not acting on instinct and calling Jason to remind him of the pressures surrounding the game and the importance of being a sobering influence on the players. I blame myself that no matter the examples we have put in front of Jason and the many functions we have had as a group that no incident has arisen from, the lessons did not hit home with him and he has not adhered to the methods and standards set by example."

And the Gladiator star, known for his own angry outbursts, insists the incident recalled memories of his own violent behavior.

He adds, "I truly know what it is like to have an incident blow up in your face and cause shockwaves through your life. In the past I have put my parents and my wife and my extended family through some terrible times and I'm sorry for every moment of those public floggings that they have received the residual fallout from. I have learned to own and take responsibility for those times when I haven't been my best."

Crowe hit the headlines in 2005 after throwing a telephone at a New York hotel concierge.

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(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)