Ryan Braun makes first public appearance since suspension

MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee Brewers Outfielder Ryan Braun made an appearance at our We Are Feeding Milwaukee food drive at Miller Park. This is Braun's first public appearance since being suspended 65 games by Major League Baseball for using performance enhancing drugs.

Ryan Braun told the media he is extremely remorseful, and understands that people are disappointed. When speaking about the whole PED scandal he said it was a huge mistake, and wishes he hadn't done it. Braun summed up his thoughts saying, \"I regret all of it.\"

Braun also addressed concerns about him staying with the Milwaukee Brewers. He says he recently had dinner with Milwaukee Brewers Owner Mark Attanasio and General Manager Doug Melvin. He says his goals and intentions are to stay in Milwaukee.

When asked about the closing of restaurants named after him, Braun said obviously there's been a lot of fallout from the situation. He would not go into specifics about the restaurants or his relationship with Green Bay Packers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

During his new conference, Braun told reporters he and his fiance had dinner with the Dino Laurenzi and his family. Dino Laurenzi is the man who handled Braun's sample for drug testing. Braun contended that there was a chain of custody issue, because Laurenzi stored Braun's sample in his refrigerator. Braun verbally singled out Laurenzi during a press conference earlier this year. 

Braun says he wished he had never said anything about Laurenzi. He also said he wishes he knew more at the time he called out Lauranzi during an news conference. According to Braun, the Laurenzi family was very open and accepting of his apologies.

When asked why it took so long to face the media, Braun said it was not in his best interest to make statements. He noted he's been in Milwaukee more than a few times, but hasn't noted anything about his visits via social media.

We are teaming up with the Hunger Task Force to collect food for families in need over the holiday season! This event is what brought Ryan Braun back for his first public appearance since being suspended.