A University of Southern California football player is being investigated for knocking over a Washington State fan after Friday night’s game.
Liam Jimmons, who wears number 93 for USC, was caught in at least two separate videos knocking over a fan who rushed the field after Washington State’s fan.
In one video the player can’t quite be identified because of poor camera quality, but can be seen colliding with a fan and knocking him or her over.
However in the second video, which has since been removed from Facebook, the reserve defensive lineman’s number can be clearly seen as he runs to exit the field an extends his arms into the excited fan.
Liam Jimmons, who wears number 93 for USC, was caught in at least two separate videos knocking over a fan who rushed the field after Washington State’s fan
Steven Hansen, the Washington State University police department’s assistant chief, told the LA Times that the department has contacted the player for a statement.
He said the department has also reached out to USC’s Department of Public Safety, and that his team will write a report to send to prosecutors who will decide what steps should be taken next.
‘We’re aware of the situation,’ USC coach Clay Helton told reporters during a PAC-12 conference call.
‘Internal discipline has been taken and that discipline will remain in house.’
In one video (pictured) the player can’t quite be identified because of poor camera quality, but can be seen colliding with a fan and knocking him or her over
However in the second video, which has since been removed from Facebook, the reserve defensive lineman’s number can be clearly seen as he runs to exit the field an extends his arms into the excited fan
The PAC-12 fined Washington State $25,000 after the game because fans rushed the field at Martin Stadium. That is the standard fine for a first offense.
The policy was put into place to prevent violence from ensuing between fans and players.
When fans rushed the field on Friday multiple USC players had to push their way through them to make it to their locker room.
The Washington State Cougars took down the USC Trojans on Friday night in a surprising upset. Pictured Washington State offensive lineman Cody O’Connell blocks USC defensive lineman Liam Jimmons
‘It was an electric game and a very exciting atmosphere, and the safety of both fans and players always needs to be taken into account,’ Coach Helton said.
‘It’s a very hard situation in that type of environment, that exciting environment.
‘It’s something that I know Washington State does their best job to try to create a safe environment. It’s hard. When you have that many fans that excited, they found their way down on the field and [that] makes for a chaotic scene.
‘I’m glad that everybody is safe and everybody’s out of harms way. But it’s understandable. That’s a big win for their football team.’
The Washington State Cougars took down the USC Trojans on Friday night in a surprising upset.
The team, which is ranked 16, beat USC, which is ranked number five, 30 points to 27 points with a 32-yard field goal in the last two minutes of the final quarter.