Tennessee AD Danny White issues statement on fans vs. Ole Miss

Tennessee fans did what nobody wants to see by throwing trash and other objects towards the Ole Miss sidelines on Saturday night. The Volunteers ultimately lost the game after a 20 minute delay came as a result of the incident.

Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin was struck with a golf ball during the chaos. He also caught an errant water bottle as he walked off the field. The delay came with less than a minute on the clock after Tennessee failed to convert a fourth down.

Tennessee AD Danny White on Ole Miss incident

Early in the morning on Sunday following the incident, Tennessee athletic director Danny White issued a statement. White called Tennessee fans’ actions in the final minute against Ole Miss “unacceptable.”

“Our Tennessee fanbase had much to be proud of through 59 minutes of football Saturday night,” White said. “They created one of the best live sporting atmospheres I’ve ever experienced. But what transpired in the game’s final minute was unacceptable. Player and fan safety is paramount at all times.

“While I’m incredibly proud of our team’s effort on the field, I’m disappointed that their relentless performance was overshadowed in the game’s closing moments by the actions of several fans whose actions did not represent the Volunteer Spirit or the true character of our University.”

White went on to issue an apology on behalf of Tennessee to the Ole Miss football program.

“On behalf of the University of Tennessee, I’d like to apologize to the Ole Miss football program and congratulate their student-athletes on a hard fought win. I spoke with Keith Carter after the game and expressed that same sentiment to him.”

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey also issued a statement on the ending to the game.