Kansas State fan apologizes for bumping Kansas' Jamari Traylor
A Kansas State fan who threw a forearm into Kansas freshman forward Jamari Traylor following Kansas State's 70-63 upset victory on Monday night apologized Tuesday in a letter, posted online by Kansas State University’s school newspaper, The Collegian.
Nathan Power came forward to identify himself as the one who made contact with Traylor after Kansas State University's police department posted a photo on Twitter on Tuesday asking for help in identifying a fan seen ramming into Traylor during the court-storming.
“I want to take this moment to share a sincere apology in breaking from the Wildcat way and stepping outside what is acceptable in the spirit of the game,” Power wrote in the letter. “Following the basketball game I simply let my emotions get the best of me in all of the chaos. In my excitement I was not careful of the people I was around.”
The court-storming led to an apology from Kansas State athletic director John Currie, who said that school’s security failed to get into the proper position quickly enough to prevent fans from coming onto the court.
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The melee pinned Jayhawks coach Bill Self against a press table, and assistant coach Kurtis Townsend was seen putting a fan in a headlock and attempting to get the crowd away from his players after fans shouted profanities and make obscene gestures.
“I am sorry that I made the KU basketball team—Jamari Traylor in particular—feel disrespected. By no means can I change what took place but in the future I will be aware of how emotions can impact good judgment,” Power continued in the letter.
The Big 12, which has no rule on disciplining schools whose storm the court after games, says it will review the incident.
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