Sam Pittman addresses 'Polar Express' incident in Arkansas locker room
Sam Pittman met with reporters on Monday in Fayetteville for his weekly press conference ahead of Arkansas’ Week 12 matchup with FIU.
Pittman was asked about an incident over the weekend in Arkansas’ blowout loss to Auburn at home. A video leaked of Arkansas players watching the movie “Polar Express” at halftime in the locker room.
An Arkansas spokesman previously clarified that the movie was being played in the Razorbacks’ redshirt locker room, which is separate from the primary locker room. Pittman explained that Arkansas doesn’t have enough space for every player to be in the main locker room on game day.
He also said it was a violation of team rules for video to be taken — and shared — in the locker room on game day.
“The young man made a mistake,” Pittman said. “He sent [the video] to a friend, the friend sent it to his brother, the brother put it out on what have you. And I’ve already addressed it and I think we’re fine there.
“It was just a mistake that a young man made and I wish he wouldn’t have but he came in and he was sorry for it and was very remorseful for it so we’re going to move on.”
It’s been a tough season for Pittman and the Razorbacks. They are now 3-7 on the year and 1-6 in SEC play. That loss to Auburn eliminated them from bowl eligibility this season.
Arkansas will face FIU at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday night.