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Post by Trojan Warrior on Dec 30, 2015 18:36:03 GMT -6
@grego_ESPN
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Memphis announced Wednesday night that defensive back Reggis Ball has been removed from the team for his actions after he made two interceptions in Wednesday's Birmingham Bowl.
Ball ran over to the Auburn Tigers sideline after the game and attempted to take two footballs before a member of the Auburn equipment staff came over to stop him. A Facebook video from an Auburn fan later surfaced showing Ball and an Auburn equipment staffer getting into a physical altercation in which Ball came away with a football and ran toward the locker room.
"We're embarrassed about the actions that occurred after the game, and that is definitely not the standards or expectations the Memphis football program stands for," Memphis athletic director Tom Bowen said in a statement. "Even though Mr. Ball's football career has ended, he will no longer be a part of the Memphis program because of these actions."
Ball is a redshirt senior.
According to The Ledger-Enquirer (Columbus, Georgia), the Auburn equipment staff was warned that if Ball were to get an interception, he has a history of attempting to steal a ball from the opponent after the game.
As for the game itself, Ball's two interceptions weren't enough. Auburn overpowered Memphis in the second half, winning 31-10.
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Post by Hemi Man on Dec 31, 2015 7:45:00 GMT -6
So they kicked a senior off the team after his final game. I mean that's some harsh punishment.
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Post by Bubba the Trojan on Dec 31, 2015 8:16:14 GMT -6
So they kicked a senior off the team after his final game. I mean that's some harsh punishment. According to The Ledger-Enquirer (Columbus, Georgia), the Auburn equipment staff was warned that if Ball were to get an interception, he has a history of attempting to steal a ball from the opponent after the game. He's a senior who has played his final game. While I agree that this is "some harsh punishment", I think there is a deeper issue here. He has a "history" of this behavior. The university claims this is not the image they want to project or the behavior they expect from their athletes. How much more disingenuine and hypocritical can the Memphis University athletic department be? They've tolerated these antics throughout his career and now that they've used him up, they throw him under the bus. Don't interpret this as a defense of the player, it's not. It's an indictment of the school. Way to go MU, show your true colors.
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Post by Redwaver on Dec 31, 2015 10:13:08 GMT -6
So they kicked a senior off the team after his final game. I mean that's some harsh punishment. According to The Ledger-Enquirer (Columbus, Georgia), the Auburn equipment staff was warned that if Ball were to get an interception, he has a history of attempting to steal a ball from the opponent after the game. He's a senior who has played his final game. While I agree that this is "some harsh punishment", I think there is a deeper issue here. He has a "history" of this behavior. The university claims this is not the image they want to project or the behavior they expect from their athletes. How much more disingenuine and hypocritical can the Memphis University athletic department be? They've tolerated these antics throughout his career and now that they've used him up, they throw him under the bus. Don't interpret this as a defense of the player, it's not. It's an indictment of the school. Way to go MU, show your true colors. Absolutely, they said on the news that other universities knew of his antics (ball theft) and had warned Auburn. If they knew, Memphis knew! A sorry CYOA attempt by the Tigers that will have zero repercussions for them. Maybe it's time for the NCAA to take a look.
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