Iowa defensive tackle Faith Ekakitie said he was the target of racial slurs from a Nebraska offensive lineman during Friday’s upset win against the No. 16 Cornhuskers.
Ekakitie, who is black, said the incident happened in the first half but he refused to identify the player responsible.
“I’m one to completely respect my opponents at all times, but they had a few guys out there that decided to talk a whole lot and a couple guys who were throwing around derogatory, racial slurs,” Ekakitie told the Des Moines Register.
“Anyone that is willing to openly go out of their way and throw that around — even in a competitive environment — I think you’re a piece of trash.”
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Asked about the slurs, a Nebraska spokesman told the Register: "The Nebraska football staff and athletics administration are aware of the post-game comments by the Iowa student-athlete.”
Ekakitie had five tackles in Iowa’s 40-10 win and walked off the field hand-in-hand fellow defensive lineman Jaleel Johnson, a sign of unity that was planned by assistant coach Reese Morgan and wasn't related to Ekakitie’s claims.