Reggis Ball Dismissed by Memphis After Actions in Bowl Game vs. Auburn

Memphis senior safety Reggis Ball has been dismissed by the football team following his actions after the team's 31-10 loss against Auburn in the Birmingham Bowl on Wednesday. 

According to Dana Sulonen of the Opelika-Auburn News, Ball was flipping people off after apparently stealing a game ball that Auburn was trying to get back. Memphis subsequently announced Ball's dismissal for his actions.   

In the statement provided by Memphis announcing Ball's dismissal, athletic director Tom Bowen issued an apology to Auburn's football program.

"I want to personally apologize to Jay Jacobs, Gus Malzahn, the Auburn Football team, its fans and the Birmingham Bowl for the highly inappropriate actions of one of my student-athletes regarding a game ball at the end of Wednesday's game," Bowen said. 

Bowen added the decision to remove Ball from Memphis' football team came after a consultation with university President M. David Rudd, interim head coach Darrell Dickey and incoming head coach Mike Norvell. 

Ball was playing in his final game with the Tigers, so being dismissed following the team's bowl game won't affect his on-field career. 

From a legal perspective, however, Ball may end up facing charges. According to James Crepea of AL.com, Birmingham police Chief A.C. Roper said his office had obtained video of the incident but Auburn's equipment manager had not yet filed a police report. 

"He may decide to allow the school to handle it," Roper said, "but the legal system can be utilized if he chooses."

Norvell told Crepea the school was "embarrassed" by Ball's actions and they were "definitely not the standards or expectations the Memphis football program."

Ball has appeared in all 50 games he's been eligible for since arriving at Memphis in 2012. He transitioned from linebacker to defensive back after his freshman season, posting a career-high 52 tackles and three interceptions before Wednesday's bowl game. 

Memphis' stellar season, in which it tied a school record with nine wins, had a memorable ending for all the wrong reasons thanks to Ball's actions.