Eastern Michigan football’s senior quarterback, Mike Glass III, was ejected with 10 seconds left in the Eagles 34-30 loss to Pittsburgh in the 2019 Quick Lane Bowl on Thursday, Dec. 26 at Ford Field. Glass received two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties after throwing two punches, one of which connected with a referee.
He issued an apology on Friday night, “It was an emotional moment near the end of the Quick Lane Bowl and I deeply regret it. This is something I have never done before and I can’t take it back,” Glass said on Twitter. “The only thing I can do is learn from this situation. This was not the way I was raised and I apologize for the way I behaved out there.”
Eastern Michigan head coach Chris Creighton discussed the incident following the game, "He is a phenomenal kid. I love him 100%. Absolutely zero excuse for what happened. He's in tears in the locker room. He made a mistake and he is truly sorry for it. I'm embarrassed but I love him 100%. That's not who we are."
Glass threw for 311 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in the loss. The Eagles led 10-0 and 30-27, but gave up a late touchdown to Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett. Down 34-30, Eastern Michigan had a chance to win the game but after a failed 3rd-and-10 play, Glass threw two punches. He was the second EMU player to be ejected.
Oakland Raiders defensive lineman Maxx Crosby, who played for Eastern Michigan from 2015-2018, responded to Glass on Twitter following his apology, “You went out fighting for your team and everyone who knows you, knows you’re nothing short of a great leader and teammate. Much love brother.”
Glass is a senior who hopes to get drafted in the upcoming NFL Draft, which will take place beginning on Thursday, April 23 in Paradise, Nevada. The Cincinnati Bengals have the top pick. According to Pro Football Focus before the bowl game, Glass was rated as the 21st best quarterback appearing in a bowl game. The list included 80 signal callers.
“After the game I directly apologized to my teammates and coaches for letting them down. I also sought out and had a private conversation with the official to express my regret,” Glass said. “This mistake does not represent who I am or who we are as a program. I will learn from this and continue to work hard to make everyone at Eastern Michigan proud.”
