Tennesse’s Omari Thomas apologized for pushing an Arkansas fan who stormed the field on Saturday night.
The Razorbacks earned a colossal upset over the previously undefeated Volunteers. It marked their first home win over a top-five team since defeating Tennessee 25 years ago. Following the 19-14 victory, fans rushed onto the Razorback Stadium field.
Thomas, a 316-pound defensive lineman, was caught shoving a fan while trying to exit the field. The tradition creates a safety concern for all involved, but Thomas appeared to turn back and push the fan hard.
On Sunday, Thomas issued an apology on social media.
“I apologize for my actions during the chaotic postgame scene,” Thomas wrote. “Even though we got run into multiple times by fans while trying to exit the field, that doesn’t condone my actions or define my character. I sincerely apologize. I wish Arkansas and their fans all the best.”
Tennessee entered Saturday’s game a 14.5-point favorite and led 14-3 during the third quarter. Yet Arkansas escaped with its biggest win of the season when Malachi Singleton scored a go-ahead rushing touchdown in the closing minutes.
Thomas, a fifth-year senior, recorded one tackle in the loss. The Vols committed 10 penalties and got outgained by 99 total yards.
“You’ve got to continue to pull the rope harder,” Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said, per ESPN. “We’ve got to continue to grow. Good teams get better throughout the course of the year. [We] still have a chance to be a really good football team.”
The SEC fined Arkansas $250,000 for its second violation of the conference’s access to competition area policy. Vanderbilt also received a $100,00 penalty because fans stormed the field after a massive upset over Alabama.
Related: College Football Player Spotted Shoving Fans During Field Storming