Apologies follow U of U fan's vulgar message to ASU football player
A football fan is feeling the venom of the University of Utah athletic department and other fans, for tweeting what the school's athletic director called "hatred."
The man believed to be responsible for the tweet has apologized to the player's mother — who brought attention to his message to her son on Twitter — and the Arizona State player involved — and to everyone.
Athletic director Mark Harlan said Utah Athletics "will not tolerate behavior that expresses such hatred."
A.J. Proctor said in an apology tweet to ASU player Evan Fields, (@TheEvanFields4 on Twitter) in part:
"I want to publicly offer you, your family, the ASU and Utah football teams (and quite honestly everyone) an apology for the completely inappropriate message that I sent to you via Twitter on Sunday ... I am ashamed for my behavior and do not feel that it was appropriate in any way. I will also accept the consequences of my actions. I let the emotions of an athletic event bring out the worst in me."
Fields was ejected for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Utah running back Zack Moss, called a targeting penalty, in the second quarter. The play nearly started an on-field fight as several Utes charged Fields, who was so frustrated at the penalty call that he flung his helmet against a wall as he was escorted inside the visitor's locker room.
A fan, believed to be Proctor, sent Fields a message on Sunday, after the Utah 21-3 win. The direct message was captured and displayed on Fields' mother's twitter account and is full of cuss words. It concluding by calling Fields a "worthless pile of (feces.)
Fields responded with his own message: "Okay D. Proctor I'll be sure to let everyone know how u feel about me."
Evonnda Fields captured the direct message and professional information about his dental practice and displayed it on her own twitter account, telling Proctor to leave her children alone.
ASU head coach Herm Edwards had previously talked to the Arizona Republic about his team's 12 penalties and said his team lost its composure. He reportedly apologized to Utah coach Kyle Whittingham about it and said Evans is not a dirty player.
Fields was ejected for a targeting penalty on Moss in the second quarter. The play nearly started a brawl as several Utes charged the defender. Fields was so frustrated by the call he hurled his helmet against a wall on the way to the locker room.
Moss left the game to be checked for a concussion but returned in the second half to tally two touchdowns and 99 rushing yards while breaking the school's rushing record.
