Tennessee lawmaker Jeremy Faison says he ‘acted the fool’ after apparent attempt to pants a HS basketball ref – Yahoo Sports

Tennessee State Rep. Jeremy Faison (R) apologized on Tuesday, declaring that he "acted the fool" en route to being ejected from a high school basketball game.

The 45-year-old lawmaker attended a game on Tuesday between Providence Academy and Lakewood Christian Academy in Johnson City, Tennessee. Providence Academy livestreamed video of the game, which showed Faison arguing with a referee while walking on the court. He pointed at the official's face, then appeared to try to pull down the referee's pants unsuccessfully.

Video of the game has been removed from the school's Facebook feed, but was captured elsewhere on social media.

Faison was ejected from the gym.

After the game, he issued his apology on social media, while declaring: "I acted the fool tonight. I'm hoping to make it right."

"For years I thought how wrong it is when a parent loses their temper at a sporting event," Faison wrote. "Its not Christian and its not mature and its embarrassing to the child have always been my thoughts.

"Unfortunately, I acted the fool tonight and lost my temper on a ref. I was wanting him to fight me. Totally lost my junk and got booted from the from the gym. Ive never really lost my temper for all to see, but I did tonight and it was completely stupid of me. Emotions getting in the way of rational thoughts are never good. I hope to be able to find the ref and ask for his forgiveness. I was bad wrong."

Rep. Jeremy Faison, center, apologized for an incident at a high school basketball game. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, file)

The Tennessean reports that the incident prompted the referee to ask for police. According to the report, police ultimately weren't called. The reason why isn't clear. The official filed a report with the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association, which the Tennessean reports is standard procedure.

According to the TSSAA report acquired by the Tennesseean, Faison walked from the stands to the court after a scuffle on the court prompted the referee to whistle both teams for technical fouls. The referee told Faison to leave the gym, and he initially refused, per the report.

Story continues

"You can't tell me to leave the floor, this was your fault," Faison reportedly told the referee in response.

The referee declared that Faison then tried to pull his pants "down and off." Faison then left the gym "without further incident," per the report.

Faison hasn't publicly addressed the incident beyond his social media post. He's the Chairman of Tennessee's House Republican Caucus.

Visit link:

Tennessee lawmaker Jeremy Faison says he 'acted the fool' after apparent attempt to pants a HS basketball ref - Yahoo Sports