UAB defensive back Sirad Bryant has issued an apology for the dirty move he pulled during his team’s game against Tennessee on Saturday.
Bryant deliberately stomped on Tennessee kicker Max Gilbert’s foot early on in the Volunteers’ 56-24 win over UAB at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. The play came late in the first quarter after Tennessee jumped out to a 21-0 lead.
Gilbert had just converted an extra point when Bryant bumped into Tennessee holder Jackson Ross and then went out of his way to stomp on Gilbert’s foot. Bryant was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct but not ejected. You can see the video here.
Following the game, Bryant apologized with a statement via social media.
“First off I would like to apologize to Max Gilbert for stepping on his foot. Not only that, I would like to apologize to my teammates, coaches and also to Blazer Nation. What I did was inexcusable no matter the circumstances. I am better than that and take full accountability for my actions. It is not a representation of who I am as a player and person,” Bryant wrote on Instagram.
The stunt was so blatant that there was no sense in Bryant trying to make an excuse. It looked like he deliberately tried to injure Tennessee’s kicker, and he was fortunate to avoiding being thrown out of the game.
It would not be a surprise if Bryant faces further disciplinary action from UAB and/or the NCAA.
