Arkansas Razorbacks player Fernando Carmona finally spoke out amid calls for him to be banned for life from football after deliberately stomping on an opponent's ankle.
Furious college football fans took to social media to demand that offensive linemen never play again after a shocking foul play in Arkansas' 39-26 victory over Texas Tech in Friday's Liberty Bowl.
The footage showed the moment Carmona stood over defenseless Texas Tech player CJ Baskerville as he lay on the ground and stomped on his ankle with the full weight of his body.
Amid a barrage of criticism, Carmona finally spoke out about the incident Sunday night and offered a humiliating apology.
He posted on X: 'I would like to apologize for my actions last Friday night at the Liberty Bowl. I let my emotions go away from me.
'I have nothing but respect for Texas Tech and football. I apologize to my team and my coaches. “I'm not that type of player and I will learn from this.”
Arkansas player Fernando Carmona finally speaks out after stepping on his rival's ankle
Former NFL player Emmanuel Acho has called Arkansas player Fernando Carmona “garbage”
Former NFL player Emmanuel Acho called Carmona 'trash' on social media.
The former player of the Cleveland Browns, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants posted on X: 'I'm sharing this because number 55 (Carmona) is trash for this and deserves public shame. The end.'
It came after a furious Baskerville posted two videos of the incident on
'But Fernando Carmona's number 55, blatantly stepping on my ankle and putting pressure on it on purpose, is totally dirty.
'Keep saying “I have your bitch.” Do it better @RazorbackFB.'
In the footage, Baskerville can be seen writhing on the ground in pain afterwards, although the referees appeared not to see it.
Angry fans took to social media immediately after the incident to call for Carmona Jr. to be banned for life.
One wrote: 'This should be his last match. What a loser!'
Acho joined the backlash on social media after his deliberate ankle stomp on CJ Baskerville.
Baskerville took to social media to condemn Carmona's actions as “straight up dirty.”
Another commented: 'This was absolutely on purpose. You can tell he raised his right leg until it was above the other guy's ankle and then pressed down.
'A normal step would not have had that hesitation. “He should be kicked off the team and the team should be fined.”
A third posted: “I hope all the NFL scouts and coaches see this.” What a terrible thing!
'He should be banned from playing football forever!' another commented.
One comment read: 'I mean, for us to even think about doing it, let alone doing it… Wow. Absolutely cut it off immediately.'