After being suspended hours before Thursday’s Belk Bowl for trying to shoplift from a Belk department store earlier in the week, Arkansas tight end Jeremy Sprinkle has apologized.
“To my family, friends, teammates, coaching staff, colleagues, the University of Arkansas, Razorback nation, the Belk Bowl, and, most of all, the young children that look up to me, I am truly sorry for this unfortunate and completely avoidable occurrence,” he stated in a press release. “I have brought shame on my parents, who brought me up to be a man of honor and integrity, as well as to my team. As I reflect on what happened, I see that I am the only one with the ability to prevent bad outcomes like this.”
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police cited Sprinkle for unlawful concealment Tuesday.
Razorbacks and Virginia Tech players were each given $450 to spend in 90 minutes at Belk as part of their bowl-game swag ahead of Thursday night’s matchup. Virginia Tech beat Arkansas 35-24 in the game.
Sprinkle tried to steal eight goods from the store, totaling $260, according to the police. A Ralph Lauren shirt, two collared shirts, boxers, Nike black crew socks, and two wallets were among them.
Sprinkle was freed by police later on Tuesday.
Just before the game, Arkansas, on the other hand, revealed that Sprinkle, a senior tight end, had been suspended. The group did not give a justification.
Despite dealing with an ankle ailment this season, Sprinkle managed to rank third on the team with 33 receptions for 380 yards and four touchdowns during the regular season. Sprinkle caught 71 catches for 921 yards and 11 touchdowns during his career.
ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. believes he is the No. 7 tight end available in the 2017 NFL draft.
He said in the statement, “Like with any setback, I will use it as an opportunity to learn from my mistakes and be a better person moving forward.” This was a tough lesson to learn—this was my final collegiate football game—but I acknowledge and take ownership of my mistakes.
“I’ll think back on both my bad choice and my professional achievements over the coming weeks and months. I’ll grow as a man and take lessons from this.
“Over the next few weeks and months, I will reflect on not only my poor decision, but also my accomplishments during my career. I will learn from this and be a better man because of it.”
