Kentucky dropped to 2-2 on the season after a 35-13 loss to South Carolina on Saturday, but the game was overshadowed by a controversial moment involving running back Seth McGowan.
McGowan capped Kentucky’s lone touchdown drive with a 20-yard run in the first quarter. But what followed drew sharp criticism: he tossed the football over the end zone hedges, striking a fan in a wheelchair seated in the handicapped section. Medical staff and police quickly checked on the individual.
Fans wasted no time blasting McGowan for the incident.
“And now they are getting stomped. I’m so sick of being a Kentucky fan and watching all of these trashy ass programs pass them by. Great change at QB by the way!” one fan vented.
“Classless as usual,” another added.
“Just stupid, not purposeful, but still stupid,” a third said.
One even noted: “Threw it at a handicapped guy in a wheelchair. Think they mentioned on the broadcast at one point he was looking at 70 years. Sounds about right.”
It was later revealed that the fan was the grandfather of South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers. Sellers confirmed after the game that his grandfather was unharmed despite the scare.
Still, Gamecock supporters were frustrated.
“@SECNetwork just letting this happen? No protection for our QB Sellers nor Granddaddy Sellers watching in a wheelchair damn,” one wrote.
Another added: “Can someone explain to me why @GamecockFB literally cannot buy a late hit out of bounds call, but we get called for them; what targeting is; why we can’t get any holding calls; & how on earth that Kentucky player didn’t get flagged for throwing the ball like a dart at a fan?”
After the game, South Carolina honored Sellers’ grandfather with a game ball.
McGowan’s Apology
The incident added another layer of scrutiny to McGowan’s career. The Oklahoma transfer, who has had a rocky past that included a larceny charge, once again found himself in controversy.
McGowan took to social media to apologize publicly.
“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,” McGowan tweeted. “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.”
Kentucky will look to regroup next Saturday when they face Georgia.
