But yesterday England's one-day cricket captain Paul Collingwood found himself saying sorry again – and not just for the team's recent dismal performance in South Africa.
The 31-year-old married father of one admitted he went to a lapdancing club in Cape Town in the early hours of Saturday morning while out drinking with friends.
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Out for a duck: Paul Collingwood after his night out on the town
Little more than 24 hours later he was out for a duck as England were beaten by South Africa in the World Twenty20 competition.
Yesterday Collingwood was out for three as England were outplayed by New Zealand, putting them within a whisker of crashing out of the competition.
The one-day captain is far from alone in his less than perfect conduct.
In June Test captain Michael Vaughan was spotted looking 'staggering drunk' in Manchester after celebrating a rare England victory.
His embarrassment was compounded by the fact that a week earlier he had criticised his team-mate Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff 's drinking antics, saying they undermined team morale.
Flintoff had to be rescued from the sea off St Lucia in the Caribbean when he took out a pedalo at 4am after a drinking binge in March during the World Cup.
He was sacked from the Test vice-captaincy and fined £1,000.
After a meeting of England's management committee last night, Collingwood was also fined for his behaviour.
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A promotional photograph taken for Maverick's nightclub which Collingwood visited before his fated match for England
He is thought to be handing over about £1,000.
The decision to discipline him would have been made by England coach Peter Moores in consultation with chairman of selectors David Graveney, who is a full-time member of the tour party both in South Africa and during the one-day series in Sri Lanka which follows.
Collingwood, who lives near Consett, County Durham, with his wife Vicky and their 11-month-old daughter, was forced to explain himself after his strip club trip became public.
Just over a fortnight ago, he declared his greatest vice was a love of clothes, and insisted his team 'don't need rules' because they are careful not to socialise to excess.
Yesterday at a press conference in Cape Town Collingwood expressed his regrets.
"It wasn't wise. I was taken to an inappropriate bar and when I realised that, I got out of there," he explained.
"I am disappointed with myself and hopefully it won't happen again.
"I've not experienced this kind of situation before but I would say that I was up at 7.30 the next morning playing golf so I was not too bad. It was unacceptable and I will have to learn from it.
"I am not sure whether I will be punished. I have made my apologies to the team and management.
"Hopefully we can get over this and concentrate on the next game. There was no curfew-but everyone knows when they go over the mark – and on this occasion I did."
The strip club, Mavericks, employs almost 100 lap dancers, with most from Russia and eastern Europe.
The club has a private room for 'more exotic performances', and its website features a collection of strippers pole dancing.
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Worse for wear: Michael Vaughan in June and Andrew Flintoff in April. Both are pictured after heavy drinking sessions
One customer at the club earlier on Saturday morning said: "Collingwood sauntered in wearing a black shirt and jeans and looking pretty relaxed.
"He was drinking at the bar. It wouldn't have been a problem if he was letting off steam after a match – but this was the day before the South Africa game."
South African campaign group Christian Action expressed disappointment in the England captain.
Spokesman Mark Russel said: "Strip clubs undermine family values and degrade women.
"I would not like to see an England captain singing God Save the Queen one moment and then popping into a strip joint the next."
England team sources said Collingwood was still likely to captain the one-day side in Sri Lanka this winter.
He claims to be a sensible family man, and when asked about drinking on tour two weeks ago said: "I don't see why you shouldn't have a few drinks when you win.
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Test hero: Paul Collingwood is one of England's most respected players, being able to both bat and bowl
"We have to be sensible. I don't believe we need rules.
"If your performance isn't as good as it should be because you've had a late night, surely you should know it yourself.
"We're careful as a team not to go overboard."
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