If you were watching the football game yesterday, you likely noticed an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Louisville tight end Micky Crum.
When Crum came off the field, interim head coach Lorenzo Ward was seen telling Crum to head to the locker room.
things seem to be going marvelously at louisville pic.twitter.com/3c7uUMpH5a
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) November 25, 2018
Moments later, Crum was back on the field for the Cardinals.
In response to unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, #Louisville interim coach Lorenzo Ward pointed to the locker room and appeared to tell TE Micky Crum to leave the field. Crum did not go and now he's back in the game. Unless we're misinterpreting body language, this is a bad look.
— Tim Sullivan (@TimSullivan714) November 25, 2018
After the game, Ward had an interesting explanation for the media:
(On the issue in the second half with Micky Crum) “It really wasn’t an issue. The official came to me – the head official – and said that Micky was chattering and that I needed to get him to stop. Apparently a couple of plays later, he threw a flag on Micky for still talking. So, I told Micky – I told them all before the game anyway – this is a rivalry, but if you get a personal foul, you’re coming out of the game. So, that’s all.”
(On the reason Crum returned to the game) “Again, he wasn’t thrown out of the game by me. He could go back in, but he had to come out of the game. It happened on defense early, and when those guys got penalties, we brought them out of the game.”
(On whether he wanted to send Crum to the locker room) “Not at all. I just told him that he had a 15-yard penalty, a personal foul, he was out of the ball game.”
(On what was bothering Crum) “I’m sure all those young men are frustrated. Micky is an emotional guy, and sometimes your emotions get the best of you.”
Uh…okay.
I LOVE YOU CARDNATION!!
— Micky Crum™ (@TooHypeCrum) November 25, 2018
