There are costly touchdown celebrations, and then there's the stunt pulled last week by University of Mississippi wide receiver Elijah Moore.
After catching a touchdown pass late in Thursday's Egg Bowl, the annual rivalry game against Mississippi State, Moore was on all fours when he lifted a leg to lend the appearance of a urinating dog. The gesture drew a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, resulting in a 35-yard point-after-touchdown attempt. Luke Logan missed the kick, allowing Mississippi State to escape with a 21-20 victory.
“I apologize to my teammates, coaches and Rebel Nation for my actions at the end of the game," said Moore in a written statement released Friday. "It was an emotional moment, and I deeply regret it. It does not represent who I am or who we are as a team, and I will grow stronger from this mistake.”
As reported by local NBC affiliate WTVA, athletics director Keith Carter and head football coach Matt Luke also apologized in a joint statement on behalf of the football program.
“Elijah is a fine young man who lost control of his emotions in the moment," the two said in the statement. "This incident does not reflect in any way the type of student-athletes on our football team or the culture of respect that permeates our locker room."
"Discipline is a staple of our program as evidenced by being the least penalized team in our league, and we will continue to uphold an uncompromising standard of behavior on and off the field," the two added. "In maintaining our team’s high level of accountability, we will address the matter, and disciplinary action will be handled internally.”
