Kentucky faced off against South Carolina, with running back Seth McGowan scoring the Wildcats’ only touchdown in a 35-13 loss at Williams Blythe Stadium. After making a 20-yard touchdown run, McGowan got a bit carried away and threw the ball into the stands, where it unexpectedly hit the grandfather of South Carolina quarterback Lanolis Sellers.
McGowan kickstarted the game early, taking the ball and going for the end zone. He celebrated by tossing the football, but in an unusual twist, it turned into a “heat-seeking missile” that struck a fan just beyond the barrier. It wasn’t until later that it was revealed the fan was actually Sellers’ grandfather.
“During our game against South Carolina, I threw the ball after scoring, and in a moment of excitement, it hit a fan,” McGowan shared on X after the game. “What I did was unacceptable and not a reflection of myself or the program at all.”
Feeling remorseful, McGowan expressed his apologies, saying, “If anyone can help me get in touch with that fan and his family, I would really like to apologize in person.”
Interestingly, Sellers confirmed that his grandfather was fine after the incident. “Yeah, he was good,” he said. “I saw it unfold on the Jumbotron during the game and realized, ‘Oh, that’s my grandfather.’”
In the broader context of the game, South Carolina managed to dominate Kentucky, quieting them with just two field goals. The Gamecocks, capitalizing on two turnovers, pulled ahead significantly, decimating Kentucky’s chances of a comeback.
For a lighthearted conclusion, the team even presented a game ball to Sellers’ grandfather, adding a silver lining to the unusual situation.
