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UAB's Sirad Bryant issues apology for stomping on Tennessee kicker Max Gilbert's foot

IMG_3593by: Grant Ramey09/21/25GrantRamey
Sirad Bryant, UAB Athletics
Sirad Bryant, UAB Athletics

UAB safety Sirad Bryant issued a statement on social media on Saturday night apologizing for his actions in the 56-24 loss at Tennessee, when he stomped on the foot of place kicker Max Gilbert after an extra point.

After the Vols scored their third touchdown of the first quarter, Bryant was seen going out of his way to stomp on Gilbert’s foot after he kicked an extra point to put the Vols up 21-0 late in the first quarter. 

“First off I would like to apologize to Max Gilbert for stepping on his foot,” Bryant said. “Not only that, I would like to apologize to my teammates, coaches and also to Blazer Nation.

“What I did was inexcusable no matter the circumstances. I am better than that and take full accountability for my actions. It is not a representation of who I am as a player and person.”

Trent Dilfer: ‘I’m not happy with it.’

UAB coach Trent Dilfer said during his postgame press conference that Bryant would be punished for his actions, which drew a personal foul.

“I’ve seen an Instagram video of it, I’m not happy with it,” Dilfer said after the game. “I want to get the full video of it, and he will be disciplined because of it.”

Tennessee punter Jackson Ross, who holds for Gilbert on field goal attempts and extra points, went after Bryant and had to be held back after seeing the stomp. 

Tennessee had just completed a five-play, 45-yard touchdown drive before the extra point, building the lead to 21-0 thanks to a 3-yard DeSean Bishop touchdown run. The Vols scored another 21 points in the second quarter, building a 42-7 halftime lead, then extending the lead to 56-10 in the third quarter.

“Not a ton to talk about. (Tennessee is) a really good football team.”

Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar was 15-for-22 for 218 yards and had three touchdowns before being pulled in the third quarter. The Vols rushed 43 times for 235 yards and had four rushing touchdowns as a team.

Bishop had nine carries for 59 yards and two touchdown, Peyton Lewis had 11 carries for 81 yards and a score and Star Thomas had nine carries for 51 yards and a touchdown.

Chris Brazzell II caught five passes for 62 yards and a touchdown, giving him six over his last three games, and Mike Matthews had three catches for 53 yards and a score.

“Not a ton to talk about,” Dilfer said to start his postgame press conference. “That’s a really good football team. Very talented, very well-coached. I think that’s the thing that stands out: the quality of their systems, their schemes, how disciplined their players are. They did a great job and overwhelmed us early in the game and then it was just about trying to compe