Current:Home > Contact-usEMU player sucker punches South Alabama player, ignites wild fight after 68 Ventures Bowl-LoTradeCoin
EMU player sucker punches South Alabama player, ignites wild fight after 68 Ventures Bowl
View Date:2024-12-23 17:56:45
The Eastern Michigan Eagles had a chance to get their licks in against South Alabama Saturday during the 68 Ventures Bowl.
Unfortunately for them, winding up on the wrong side of the 59-10 final score left one Eagles player, graduate defensive back Korey Hernandez, seeking another one that resulted in a sucker punch against the opposition well after the final whistle had blown.
Multiple videos captured by fans and later posted on social media showed Hernandez running the length of the field while South Alabama sang their alma mater to celebrate the victory. The good vibes were interrupted when Hernandez hit South Alabama defensive back Jamarrien Burt in the back of the head — while Burt still wore his helmet — and a melee ensued from there, involving members of both programs before the fight was broken up.
Eastern Michigan confirmed to USA TODAY Sports on Sunday that the player who started the brawl was Hernandez.
"We strongly condemn the actions of some of the student-athletes on the EMU football team in the ugly incident that took place following last night's 68 Ventures Bowl," Eastern Michigan athletic director Scott Wetherbee said in a statement to USA TODAY Sports. "We are deeply upset and embarrassed by what happened. Their conduct does not reflect the great pride and high standards we place on the game and our program, and the expectations for good sportsmanship and exemplary conduct of student-athletes on and off the field. What happened was completely unacceptable."
In the statement, Wetherbee apologized to the Eastern Michigan community and the South Alabama team and their fans. Wetherbee also reached out to South Alabama athletic director Joel Erdmann to apologize, according to the statement. He and university president James Smith have also been in contact with Mid-American Conference commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher to jointly investigate the incident further.
"We are committed to sharing information and video to fully understand all that occurred," the statement said.
Hernandez and Burt had apparently tangled during the game on the sideline in a game that became increasingly chippy as the blowout continued.
In their postgame news conferences, both head coaches said they were still gathering information about the incident.
"We will look and find out exactly what happened. I couldn’t tell you exactly what did," South Alabama coach Kane Wommack said, according to AL.com.
Womack added: "We’re going to win, but it’s also how we win. And so we want to make sure that we hold people accountable to the standard that we want to operate, in the way we want to represent the city of Mobile and the University of South Alabama."
“I didn’t see things when they happened,” Eastern Michigan coach Chris Creighton said. “But I definitely saw the intensity of what had just happened. We had a really good, long talk in the locker room afterwards. We want to be first-class all the time, no matter the circumstances, no matter what the scoreboard is, no matter what other factors, people, whatever are involved."
Hernandez started his college career at Arkansas and redshirted before transferring to Iowa Western Community College before joining the Eagles in 2019. He missed the 2021 season due to injury and was an Academic All-MAC in 2022.
South Alabama was able to resume the post-game trophy presentation following the incident.
veryGood! (79713)
Related
- The Latin Grammys are almost here for a 25th anniversary celebration
- Do air purifiers work? Here's what they do, and an analysis of risks versus benefits
- Fantasy football sizzlers, fizzlers: Return of Raheem Must-start
- 2 pilots killed in crash at Reno air race
- One person is dead after a shooting at Tuskegee University
- 2 adults, 2 children found shot to death in suburban Chicago home
- African Union says its second phase of troop withdrawal from Somalia has started
- 2 pilots killed after colliding upon landing at National Championship Air Races
- Ben Foster files to divorce Laura Prepon after 6 years, according to reports
- The Plain Bagel Rule: How naked bread is the ultimate test of a bakery
Ranking
- Elton John Details Strict Diet in His 70s
- Real Housewives of Orange County's Shannon Beador Arrested for DUI, Hit and Run
- Former NFL player Sergio Brown missing; mother’s body was found near suburban Chicago creek
- House Democrats press for cameras in federal courts, as Trump trials and Supreme Court session loom
- Jelly Roll goes to jail (for the best reason) ahead of Indianapolis concert
- Hearings in $1 billion lawsuit filed by auto tycoon Carlos Ghosn against Nissan starts in Beirut
- Two facing murder charges in death of 1-year-old after possible opioid exposure while in daycare in Bronx
- UAW president Shawn Fain says 21% pay hike offered by Chrysler parent Stellantis is a no-go
Recommendation
-
Flurry of contract deals come as railroads, unions see Trump’s election looming over talks
-
Mega Millions jackpot reaches $162 million. See winning numbers for Sept. 15 drawing.
-
Travis Kelce Playfully Reacts to His NFL Family's Taylor Swift Puns
-
50 Cent reunites with Eminem onstage in Detroit for 'Get Rich or Die Tryin' anniversary tour
-
In bizarro world, Tennessee plays better defense, and Georgia's Kirby Smart comes unglued
-
Italy investigates if acrobatic plane struck birds before it crashed, killing a child on the ground
-
All 9 juveniles who escaped from Pennsylvania detention center after riot recaptured, authorities say
-
Deal Alert: Get a NuFACE The FIX Line Smoothing Device & Serum Auto-Delivery For Under $100