The season opener for Kansas State took an unexpected turn off the field, as quarterback Avery Johnson’s father and older brother were involved in a post-game altercation outside Dublin’s Aviva Stadium following the Wildcats’ 24-21 loss to Iowa State in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic.
The incident, first reported by 247Sports, was captured on video and circulated on social media. Footage showed Mark Johnson, Avery’s father, straddling his oldest son, Anthony Johnson, on the ground while several Kansas State fans attempted to break up the scuffle. At one point, a voice in the crowd can be heard saying, *“Anthony, this is embarrassing as ***” as bystanders intervened.
No arrests were made stemming from the incident, according to Tim Fitzgerald of GoPowercat.
On Sunday, both Mark and Anthony Johnson released a joint statement through On3, expressing regret for their actions:
“We sincerely apologize for our actions following yesterday’s football game in Ireland. Senseless bickering escalated into an unnecessary fight. We have resolved our differences and take full responsibility for our actions. We have apologized to our immediate and extended family, and now extend our apologies to Kansas State University, its alumni, and fans. We regret this incident, have learned from it, and are committed to ensuring it doesn’t happen again. Please accept our deepest apologies.”
The altercation overshadowed what was otherwise a strong performance from Avery Johnson in his first game of the season. The sophomore quarterback threw for 273 yards and two touchdowns while adding a 10-yard rushing score in the second quarter, though Kansas State ultimately fell short against Iowa State in the high-profile overseas matchup.
The Johnson family emphasized in their statement that the matter has been resolved privately. Kansas State has not issued an official comment.
