SALT LAKE CITY — Utah athletics director Mark Harlan issued an apology via Twitter for what has been described as “a horrible hate message” sent by a Ute fan to an Arizona State player, who was ejected for targeting in Saturday’s game at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
The mother of junior safety Evan Fields posted a screen shot of a profane direct message that was sent to her son on Sunday. Evonnda Fields shared what she called a “horrible hate message” with the public on Thursday, prompting a lengthy response from Harlan.
“We strongly condemn the behavior of the individual who directed such hatred toward an Arizona State student-athlete. There is no place for such behavior from anybody who represents Utah Athletics directly or indirectly,” Harlan wrote. “On behalf of all Utes, I want to offer my apologies to Evan, his family, athletic director Ray Anderson, head coach Herm Edwards and the Arizona State football program.”
Harlan also updated the situation.
“We have already begun to look into the identity of the individual to immediately address this behavior. We encourage all who support the Utes to be respectful and civil in demonstrating their support; Utah Athletics will not tolerate behavior that expresses such hatred.”
When contacted via text, Harlan declined additional comment at this time — citing a need to get through the situation first. A university spokesperson also confirmed there would be nothing to add for the time being.
Fields was ejected for targeting after a hit on Utah running back Zack Moss in the second quarter. Moss returned to the game after clearing concussion protocol and became the program’s career rushing leader by game’s end.
Fields apologized to Sun Devil nation on Twitter and said he was going to “make up for it.” He added prayers for Utah quarterback Tyler Huntley and Moss, who were injured in the physical game.
On Thursday afternoon, a Twitter account claimed responsibility for the message and issued an apology, which included some of the following:
I want to publicly offer you, your family, the ASU and Utah Football teams (and quite honestly everyone) an apology for the completely inappropriate message that I sent you via Twitter on Sunday, October 20, 2019. I am ashamed for my behavior and do not feel that was appropriate in any way. I will also accept the consequences of my actions. I let the emotions of an athletic event bring out the worst in me.
I will never be able to undo that message, but I hope others will see this incredible mistake and know that social media should never be a tool for sending negative messages. We should be focused on building each other up. I clearly did not understand that about social media.
Earlier this week, Fields explained how the helmet-to-helmet hit happened.
“I was running down. He’s Zack Moss. He’s not going to shy away from contact. I knew there was going to be a collision. That’s why I ducked,” Fields told @SunDevilSource reporter Mason Kern. “I planned on hitting him through his thighs and he ended up ducking. I ducked before him and he ended up ducking, and that’s how I hit him in his head. After that, I knew they were going to throw a flag.
“It was no intent at all on my part at all (to injure Moss),” the ASU player continued. “I was just trying go in and make a tackle, trying to keep him from getting the first down. It happens. But luckily he’s OK. That’s the most important thing.”
Contributing: Jody Genessy