Virginia Tech player apologizes for punching fan after Old Dominion upset
Virginia Tech's upset loss to Old Dominion was ugly. The immediate aftermath was even uglier.
When Old Dominion fans rushed the field as the clock hit zero on a 20-17 win against the Hokies on Friday night, the ESPN broadcast's cameras caught Virginia Tech tight end Connor Blumrick striking a fan while running to the locker room.
You can see the blow here:
Old Dominion upsets Virginia Tech! Watch the Virginia Tech player punch the ODU fan. @95KeepPounding @TBoneWFNZ pic.twitter.com/rQ1nFGBFO5
— Snowman (@B__Snow) September 3, 2022
One day later, Blumrick tweeted an apologetic statement describing the run-in as "an incident" that he regrets and part of his attempt to get to the locker room safely.
— Connor Lee Blumrick (@ConnorBlumrick) September 3, 2022
Blumrick's full statement:
I would like to sincerely apologize to ODU and Hokie Nation for my actions after last night's game. Following an emotional loss, in trying to get to the locker room safely, there was an incident including contact between myself and a fan, that I regret. This is not an accurate reflection of my character and I am truly sorry to those I have let down including my coaches, teammates and fans.
Thank you and go Hokies, Connor Blumrick #4
Blumrick did not record a stat during the game, which saw Virginia Tech outgain the Monarchs 340-245 but lose thanks to a rough five turnovers, including a botched field goal attempt returned for a touchdown and two straight interceptions to end the game.
Virginia Tech has so far not said if Blumrick will face discipline for the incident, but it would certainly be understandable if first-year head coach Brent Pry takes him to task for a bad look in his first game with the program.
