Eastern Michigan Football Player Sparks Mass Brawl after SUCKER PUNCHING Eival from South Alabama
- 4 months ago
A mass brawl broke out at the end of the 68 Ventures Bowl on Saturday after an Eastern Michigan player landed a sucker punch on his South Alabama rival while he celebrated.
Playing on home soil at Hancock Whitney Stadium, South Alabama trounced the visitors 59-10. The Jaguars (7-6) led 38-3 at halftime before securing a first bowl victory at the fourth attempt.
But the winning team's celebrations were cut short when one of its players was attacked from behind.
South Alabama players and staff were facing the marching band in the stands, and singing the school's anthem when Eastern Michigan player Korey Hernandez rushed across the field and punched South Alabama's Jamarrien Burt in the back of the head.
The attacker was immediately grabbed and soon a fight involving players from both teams broke out.
Some staff members attempted to end the violence as punches were thrown and South Alabama players piled onto an Eastern Michigan rival who was on the floor.
Fracas continued to break out even after it seemed that tensions had begun to cool. Towards the end of the clip, which appeared on social media, one South Alabama player tackled an opponent to the floor.
According to reports, the violence came after tempers had flared during the game, with at least one major altercation coming on the South Alabama sideline.
Burt's older brother, fellow defensive back Brian Dillard, was said to be among those who jumped in to defend him before both teams were sent to their locker rooms.
Afterward, Eastern Michigan coach Chris Creighton said: 'We had a really good, long talk in the locker room afterward.
'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. And anything short of being first-class is not living up to the standard that we have in Eastern Michigan football.
'I think that our guys care a lot about performing well. I'm sure we were embarrassed by how we played and it probably didn't take too much to get our guys into a place that we hope that they never get.'
Playing on home soil at Hancock Whitney Stadium, South Alabama trounced the visitors 59-10. The Jaguars (7-6) led 38-3 at halftime before securing a first bowl victory at the fourth attempt.
But the winning team's celebrations were cut short when one of its players was attacked from behind.
South Alabama players and staff were facing the marching band in the stands, and singing the school's anthem when Eastern Michigan player Korey Hernandez rushed across the field and punched South Alabama's Jamarrien Burt in the back of the head.
The attacker was immediately grabbed and soon a fight involving players from both teams broke out.
Some staff members attempted to end the violence as punches were thrown and South Alabama players piled onto an Eastern Michigan rival who was on the floor.
Fracas continued to break out even after it seemed that tensions had begun to cool. Towards the end of the clip, which appeared on social media, one South Alabama player tackled an opponent to the floor.
According to reports, the violence came after tempers had flared during the game, with at least one major altercation coming on the South Alabama sideline.
Burt's older brother, fellow defensive back Brian Dillard, was said to be among those who jumped in to defend him before both teams were sent to their locker rooms.
Afterward, Eastern Michigan coach Chris Creighton said: 'We had a really good, long talk in the locker room afterward.
'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. And anything short of being first-class is not living up to the standard that we have in Eastern Michigan football.
'I think that our guys care a lot about performing well. I'm sure we were embarrassed by how we played and it probably didn't take too much to get our guys into a place that we hope that they never get.'