Washington State Football: UW’s Austin Seferian-Jenkins Still Fan of Rushing the Field

Nov. 23, 2012; Pullman, WA, USA; Washington Huskies tide end Austin Seferian-Jenkins (88) scores a touchdown against Washington State Cougars cornerback Brandon Golden (12) during the first half at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

As Washington State fans rushed the field after the Cougs kicked the game winning field goal in overtime, Austin Seferian-Jenkins got hit harder than he had been hit all game. Ok, maybe that’s an exaggeration, but ASJ got blindsided all the same and the fan that hit him knocked him down with some force, which is not easy to do given the big tight ends’ stature. Later that night ASJ said he was “praying for the man that struck me” and it’s been somewhat widely publicized since.

ASJ, a 2012 “John Mackay Award” Finalist (given to the top tight end in the country), seems to be over the incident however, perhaps to deflect any attention away from his teams’ big upcoming matchup with the Boise State Broncosin the Maaco Bowl Las Vegas. Whatever the reason, this kid is being as big a man off the field as he is on it. Here is what he had to say on Monday to reporters:

"Whoever that guy was, it’s not a big deal. He obviously was intoxicated, I hope, intoxicated or something like that. I’m not really worried about it. I’m over it. I think everyone else should be over it. I still think people should rush the field, I think that’s part of college football and what makes it special.”"

Nice statement from a class act.