WARNING: Video displays content some viewers may find graphic. Viewer discretion advised.
PROVO, Utah — Officials with Brigham Young University have provided a statement, Tuesday, after the University of Memphis announced that disciplinary action has been taken against Tigers’ football players due to a brawl between players last year.
Memphis announced 12 players were disciplined after the fight in the Miami Beach Bowl last December.
BYU officials state they have completed a review of the fight between the players.
The statement from BYU officials states, “The determined disciplinary measures are being handled internally.”
According to the BYU statement, “We are grateful for the cooperation and communication that has taken place between BYU and the University of Memphis in an effort to live up to the high ideals of sportsmanship to which we both aspire.”
The video above showed dozens of players scrambling as punches flew last month.
Brawl breaks out after BYU loss at Miami Beach Bowl (Warning: Graphic Content)
Network announcers said the entire game had been emotionally charged before the fight.
“It was a great game, a spectacular game and an ugly ending,” one announcer said.
The U of M released this statement to WREG,
“The penalties include, but are not limited to, suspension from team activities (including practices, scrimmages and game competitions ranging from one half to two games), mandatory anger-management counseling and community service hours, and additional team-regulated punishments at the discretion of head coach Justin Fuente and his staff. Individual suspensions from game competition will be announced in conjunction with the first football game of the 2015 season.”
“We hold our student-athletes to the highest standards of sportsmanship and personal conduct at the University of Memphis,” Director of Athletics Tom Bowen told WREG. “The actions of a few members of our football program in Miami were completely unacceptable. I can assure our community, fans and stakeholders that we have and will continue to hold our young men and women accountable and will use this unfortunate incident as a teaching tool for all our student-athletes moving forward.”
A news release from the American Athletic Conference stated,
“The University has taken appropriate action in disciplining the student-athletes involved and the Conference office supports the measures. The American Athletic Conference and our member schools expect the highest standard of conduct from our student-athletes and those who fail to meet these expectations will be held accountable.”
The University of Memphis and BYU held a conference call after the fight, “which provides an opportunity to apologize for this incident and to promote the spirit of sportsmanship. The actions taken can also be a learning experience for the student-athletes involved.”
The release stated the AAC will have no further comment.
BYU Cougars fall prey to Memphis Tigers in double overtime at inaugural Miami Beach Bowl
