Last week, World Series of Poker Big One for One Drop champ Dan Colman (pictured) provoked another firestorm of controversy after popping into a 2+2 thread and laying heavy criticism on 13-time bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth. After watching his comments spread like wildfire through the poker community, the 24-year-old softened his stance on the “Poker Brat” and issued an apology of sorts. In the same post, though, Colman couldn’t help but speak his mind and praised 2014 Main Event winner Martin Jacobson, while chiding his predecessor, Ryan Riess.

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In his original remarks, Colman blasted Hellmuth, calling his table behavior “truly pathetic,” while referring to him as “spineless” and “a cancer to this world”. He also questioned the “Poker Brat’s” association with Ultimate Bet, his refusal to answer questions regarding the site’s cheating scandal, and implied that Hellmuth would do “anything for a payday.”

But the young grinder apparently didn’t anticipate the way his post would be scrutinized by the media. Hellmuth himself even Tweeted about the insult, saying that “it was personal and it hurts.” That’s when Colman decided to take things down a notch and posted a lengthy response in the original thread.

“I admit to being too harsh in my initial post. Phil didn’t deserve that hateful of a message,” he said. “I was a bit heated in the moment and it showed in my writings. I underestimate how much the poker world amplifies anything I have to say now that I have god-moded a few live tournaments.”

Colman continued by reiterating his decision to not become an ambassador for the game. “I am sorry, but I’m not going to be that guy,” he said. “Luckily for you guys, there’s an abundance of players out there who I am sure can bring good attention to poker and cast it in a good light.”

One of his favored candidates for that role seems to be 2014 WSOP Main Event bracelet winner Martin Jacobson (pictured). “Look to the new Main Event champ… unlike the last champ, he doesn’t have to go around saying he’s the best in the world after winning,” he said. “He plays phenomenal poker and carries himself exceptionally well, so his peers are happy to do the talking for him.”

With that statement, he took a shot at 2013 Main Event winner Ryan Riess, the 24-year-old poker pro who often claimed that he was the best poker player in the world.

That said, Coleman heaped more praise on this year’s Main Event winner while continuing to criticize Hellmuth (pictured). “I think I can speak for any legitimate pro when I say that I want someone like Martin representing the game of poker to the casual fan over an obnoxious brat like Phil Hellmuth, who I think makes a complete mockery out of the game with his antics,” he continued.

“If you want poker to be taken seriously and seen as a sport, I think we should all be condemning PH for his conduct.”

While he may have apologized to Hellmuth initially, Coleman went right back on the attack, questioning the controversial pro’s involvement in Ultimate Bet. “As much as some of you guys want to give him a pass on his table behavior because you think it draws in people to poker, sites like UB, which he represented, do the exact opposite and put a stain on poker that is hard to remove,” he said.

“In my view, he is a terrible ambassador for the game and I think it’s despicable that with all the money he made as the face of UB, he has never even sat down and engaged the poker community about his involvement.”

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