Arkansas tight end Jeremy Sprinkle was suspended for the team’s Belk Bowl appearance for shoplifting from a Belk department store despite having a $450 gift card at Belk as one of the bowl game gifts.
It was a completely embarrassing and avoidable situation for the Razorbacks standout, and he has acknowledged his mistake with an apology.
Arkansas released Sprinkle’s statement on Friday evening.
The statement read:
“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 occurance.
“I have embarrassed myself, my team, and my parents, who raised me to be an upstanding man of high moral character. In looking back at the events, I realize I have the sole power and control to avoid negative situations such as these.
“As with any setback, I will use it as an opportunity to learn from my mistakes and be a better person going forward. With this being my last collegiate football game, this was a difficult lesson, but I understand and accept personal responsibility for my shortcomings.
“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.”
Luckily for Sprinkle, he was not charged for the incident.
Sprinkle recorded 33 catches for 380 yards and four touchdowns in 2016.
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