Oklahoma state player Marcus Smart has been suspended for three games following an incident where he pushed a Texas Tech fan.
According to Smart, it as during the game where he heard a man who’s since been identified as Jeff Orr yell something using the N-word, which set him off.
Jeff Orr denied using a racial slur toward Smart, but did admit he referred to Smart as ‘a piece of crap’.
Here is Orr’s complete statement:
“I would like to take this opportunity to offer my sincere apologies to Marcus Smart, Oklahoma State, Tubby Smith and the Texas Tech Men’s Basketball program. My actions last night were inappropriate and do not reflect myself or Texas Tech – a university I love dearly. I regret calling Mr. Smart a ‘piece of crap’ but I want to make it known that I did not use a racial slur of any kind. Additionally, I would like to offer my apologies to Texas Tech fans that have been embarrassed by the attention this incident has created.”
Smart has been suspended for three games by the Big 12. He released a statement saying:
“I want to apologize to the fan, whose name is Jeff Orr, I want to apologize to him, my teammates, my coach,” Smart said at a press conference Sunday evening. “This is not how I [conduct] myself. I just can’t let that happen again. It’s a lesson I’ll have to learn from. It’s all upon me. I truly apologize to all those that are important to me. I feel I let my teammates down.”
Texas Tech beat Oklahoma State on Sunday night, 65-61. Smart was assessed a technical for the incident, but was not ejected from the game.
Smart is eligible to return from his suspension on Feb. 22nd.
Watch a clip of the altercation below.
Comments are closed.