Clemson OL Isaiah Battle ejected for uppercutting opponent (GIF)
Clemson offensive tackle Isaiah Battle was ejected during his team’s win over North Carolina State on Thursday night for punching an opponent. Throwing a swing at an opponent is typically an automatic ejection at any level of football. Battle managed to go above and beyond by throwing a vicious uppercut to the facemask of Wolfpack defensive back Jarvis Byrd.
The Tigers already had the game won at that point, but it would not be a surprise if Battle is suspended. Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney was not a happy camper after the game.
“Very disappointed in Isaiah Battle,” Swinney said, via Eye on College Football. “That can’t ever happen. Really, really disappointed. That’s not Clemson. That’s a lesson for every one of those guys in there, something we talked a lot about in the locker room.
“I will say this. [Battle] took ownership. He apologized immediately and he apologized to the team.”
Shoving is one thing. Throwing a haymaker is another, and it’s much more dangerous. The sophomore could have easily injured Byrd’s neck or jaw. Here’s another angle of the punch, courtesy of Deadspin:
GIF via SB Nation
