Arkansas pulled one of the biggest college football upsets in program history on Saturday night with a five-point win over fourth-ranked Tennessee at home. Fans rushed onto the field at Razorback Stadium.
Unfortunately, an unsuspecting female Hog was on the wrong end of an aggressive interaction during the postgame celebration and got absolutely obliterated.
Volunteers defensive lineman Omari Thomas is a big dude. The fifth-year senior is listed on the roster at 6-foot-4, 325 pounds. He has six tackles and two quarterback hits on the year thus far.
If SEC offensive linemen have a hard time keeping him out of the backfield, the average person is not going to fair well in a 1-on-1 situation. An Arkansas fan learned that lesson the hard way!
Emotions are high during a field storm on both sides.
As the victorious crowd hops over the fence and runs toward the 50-yard-line, the defeated players from the visiting team are tasked with a challenging walk back into the locker room. They are completely caught up in the chaos while security, police and team staffers try to get them out of harm’s way.
Arkansas fans stormed the field against Tennessee.
The situation in Fayetteville presented an even greater challenge because the student section is located right in front of the visitor’s tunnel so Tennessee was infiltrated with field-storming Razorbacks. One of the students just so happened to step in front of a player, which appeared to be No. 21 Omari Thomas. It is unclear as to whether the fan did so on purpose or if he said something to escalate the encounter.
UPDATE: It was Thomas, who has since apologized.
I apologize for my actions during the chaotic postgame scene. Even though we got run into multiple times by fans while trying to exit the field, that doesn't condone my actions or define my character. I sincerely apologize. I wish Arkansas and their fans all the best. Big O
— Omari "Big O" Thomas🏴 (@901_sxvxge) October 6, 2024
He placed both hands on the fan and threw him to the ground. The male fan collided with a nearby female fan on his way down, which also sent her flying.
Hey @Vol_Football, might want to teach your players that this could be considered assault… pic.twitter.com/GF9iShgolx
— Kristi Abbott (@kabbott725) October 6, 2024
No further context about the incident has been provided at this point. We do not know what inspired the player to get physical with the fan. Tennessee will need to issue a statement on the matter.