Memphis #38 tables auburn ball, steals ball and runs of the field! #thugloser
Posted by Russell Smith on Wednesday, December 30, 2015
After losing to Auburn, 31-10, in the Birmingham Bowl, Memphis safety Reggis Ball reportedly ran over to the Auburn sideline and stole a football, while also giving the Auburn equipment staff the finger. It is unclear who tackled whom, but there were multiple reports of a scuffle.
Memphis player runs past me carrying what I'm guessing was a game ball. Auburn tried to get back. player runs away while giving the finger.
— Dana Sulonen (@DanaSulonen) December 30, 2015
Memphis player No. 39 just ran to Auburn equipment personnel, tackled him and stole a football
— James Crepea (@JamesCrepea) December 30, 2015
Memphis football player just walked over to Auburn's sideline and stole their footballs and was tackled by a manager. Can't make this up.
— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) December 30, 2015
Later, he posted this photo on Instagram:
Ball returned an Auburn pass for a touchdown earlier in the game, and he ran off with the football, even after the ref asked for it, bringing it to the sideline.
This is the second straight year Memphis has been involved in post-bowl shenanigans. Last year, the Tigers got into a full-fledged brawl with BYU after the Miami Beach Bowl.
According to the Ledger-Enquirer, Ball has done this before, and Auburn knew about it:
Members of Auburn's equipment staff were alerted Ball tries to steal a football from opposing teams after the game every time he gets an interception.
Ball, a senior who had just played his final game, was dismissed from the team, Memphis announced.
Birmingham police department chief A.C. Roper, who was sent the video of the incident, told AL.com the Auburn equipment manager has not filed a police report.
"He may decide to allow the school to handle it," Roper told AL.com, "but the legal system can be utilized if he chooses."
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