Kentucky running back Ramon Jefferson McGowan had a moment he’ll want back during the Wildcats’ 35-13 loss to South Carolina on Saturday night.
With 11:27 left in the first quarter, the senior scored Kentucky’s lone touchdown of the game on a 20-yard run. In the heat of celebration, McGowan launched the football toward the stands — only for it to hit a South Carolina fan.
After the game, South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers appeared on the SEC Network postgame show holding that very football.
“My grandad was the one who got hit with the ball the first touchdown from Kentucky,” Sellers revealed. “So, I was gonna go down there and give it to him.”
McGowan wasted no time addressing the incident. He issued a public apology on social media:
“Today during our game vs South Carolina, I threw a ball after a touchdown meaning to throw it at the barrier in front of the stands and during a high energy moment the ball struck a fan. What I did was absolutely unacceptable and not at all reflective of myself nor this program.
“If anyone can get me in contact with the fan or his family I would like to formally apologize to them and make it up any way possible. Also I would like to apologize to the entire fans of South Carolina Football and their program.”
The senior also spoke with reporters postgame, taking full responsibility.
“That’s completely my fault,” McGowan said. “I would extend another apology, but out here I would like to apologize to the fan I connected with. I tried to throw it at the ground, and in a high energy moment, kind of slipped out, came out wrong. So, absolutely unacceptable. And that’s something that won’t happen again.”
Despite the mishap, McGowan turned in a strong performance on the field. He rushed 17 times for 112 yards and the touchdown, continuing to pace Kentucky (2-2, 0-2 SEC) in rushing with 387 yards and seven scores on 68 carries through four games.
The Wildcats’ road stretch continues next Saturday with a noon kickoff at Georgia (3-1, 1-1 SEC), which is coming off its first loss of the season — a 24-21 defeat to Alabama
