Suspended Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas takes to the op-ed pages of the Washington Post to offer some thoughts on guns, role models and making fun of "inaccurate media reports"

In a very somber prose -- which differs greatly from his normal blog fare -- Arenas addresses his recent problems with NBA Commissioner David Stern, the league, teammates and authorities.

I have done a number of things wrong recently. I violated D.C. gun laws and the NBA's ban on firearms on league property, and I damaged the image of the NBA and its players. I reacted badly to the aftermath and made fun of inaccurate media reports, which looked as though I was making light of a serious situation. And I gave Commissioner David Stern good reason to suspend me from the game, which put my teammates in a tough position and let down our fans and Mrs. Irene Pollin, the widow of longtime Wizards owner Abe Pollin.

I understand the importance of teaching nonviolence to kids in today's world. Guns and violence are serious problems, not joking matters -- a lesson that's been brought home to me over the past few weeks. I thought about this when I pleaded guilty as charged in court and when I accepted my NBA suspension without challenge.

He goes on to talk about what hurt the most was letting the kids down and so on. Do you think this will do anything to curry favor in the court of public opinion, or is it way too little way too late?