Arkansas O-lineman Fernando Carmona apologizes after viral Liberty Bowl stomp clip
Arkansas defeated Texas Tech 39-26 in the Liberty Bowl in Memphis on Saturday, but the win that put the Hogs over .500 on the 2024 season may not be how the game is best remembered.
Late in the game, offensive lineman Fernando Carmona approached a pile of players and was spotted stepping on Red Raiders safety CJ Baskerville's ankle while he was lying on the ground. A clip of the incident quickly made the rounds on social media, with many fans decrying it as "dirty."
In a since-deleted post, Baskerville concurred and called Carmona dirty.
"There's no denying that Arkansas played a great game last night, I am not taking that away from them. But #55 Fernando Carmona blatantly stepping on my ankle and pressing down on it on purpose is straight up dirty. Proceeds to say 'got your b**** a**.' Do better @RazorbackFB," Baskerville wrote.
On Sunday, Carmona issued an apology on social media.
"I’d like to apologize for my actions last Friday night in the Liberty Bowl," he wrote. "I let my emotions get away from me. I have nothing but respect for Texas Tech and the game of football. I apologize to my team and coaches. I’m not that kind of player and will learn from this."
I’d like to apologize for my actions last Friday night in the Liberty Bowl. I let my emotions get away from me. I have nothing but respect for Texas Tech and the game of football. I apologize to my team and coaches. I’m not that kind of player and will learn from this.
— fernando carmona jr (@carmonaajr) December 29, 2024
Carmona is a redshirt junior from Las Vegas and a transfer portal addition from San Jose State. He started all 13 games this fall for the Razorbacks.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Arkansas O-lineman Fernando Carmona apologizes after viral Liberty Bowl stomp clip
