Arkansas senior Jeremy Sprinkle issued an apology Friday after getting caught shoplifting at Belk earlier this week, even though he received a $450 gift card from the department store.
All players on the teams participating in the Belk Bowl are given 90 minutes to spend the gift card at the Charlotte department store, but Sprinkle apparently got a bit carried away. He allegedly concealed eight items in a shopping bag with a combined retail value of $259.99, according to a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police report.
"To my family, friends, teammates, coaching staff, colleagues, the University of Arkansas, Razorback nation, the Belk Bowl, and, most of all, young children that look up to me, I am truly sorry for this unfortunate and compelled avoidable occurrence," Sprinkle said in a post on Twitter.
"I have embraced myself, my team, and my parents, who raised me to be an upstanding man of high moral character. In looking back at the events, I realize I have the sole power and control to avoid negative situations such as these.
"As with any setback, I will use it as an opportunity to learn from my mistake and be a better person moving forward. With this being my last collegiate football game, this was a difficult lesson, but I understand and accept personal responsibility for my shortcomings.
"Over the next few weeks and months, I will reflect on not only my poor decision, but also my accomplishments during my career. I will learn from this and be a better man because of it."
MORE: Arkansas player spits in Virginia Tech player's face
Sprinkle's suspension wasn't the only embarrassing moment of the day for the Razorbacks. During Arkansas' second-half meltdown against Virginia Tech in which they blew a 24-0 halftime lead, senior wide receiver Drew Morgan was ejected after being flagged for "flagrant unsportsmanlike conduct." His crime? Spitting in the face of a Virginia Tech player.
Hopefully Morgan can step up with an apology like Sprinkle did.