Notre Dame defensive lineman Jerry Tillery became a social media sensation Saturday for all the wrong reasons when he kicked USC’s Aca’Cedric Ware in the head.
The Trojans running back was down and out after a helmet-to-helmet hit that earned Notre Dame safety Nicco Fertitta a 15-yard targeting call and subsequent ejection.
Notre Dame's Nicco Fertitta just flattened a human being…..😱😱😱😱 pic.twitter.com/LMxt5rs4yZ
— Jack McGuire (@JackMacCFB) November 26, 2016
While he was down on the ground, Tillery nudged Ware’s head.
That's not going to help someone who just suffered a brain injury, Notre Dame pic.twitter.com/eQmt1BU47y
— Deadspin (@Deadspin) November 26, 2016
In the same game, Tillery also stomped on the foot of USC offensive lineman Zach Banner.
Update: this is the same Notre Dame player who kicked Ware in the head pic.twitter.com/72CN5uXEqe
— Deadspin (@Deadspin) November 26, 2016
After the game, Tillery was called out in a big way by teammate and fellow defensive lineman Jarron Jones.
“You just can’t do stupid things like that,” Notre Dame defensive lineman Jones said, per ESPN. “That’s going to reflect on you as a player. That’s going to reflect on your character.”
Head coach Brian Kelly told the media that he was going to review the play and have a talk with Tillery.
“Accountability is built within any program. Jerry has to be accountable for his actions every single day. Jerry is a good kid, and if he made a mistake we’ll hold him accountable for that mistake. We’ll take a look at it.”
We’re not sure what prompted Tillery’s vile actions on the field Saturday, but there is no doubt they warrant discipline. Being that Notre Dame is 4-8 and its season is over, however, we’re not sure what that would look like.
One thing is certain, the sophomore defensive lineman earned a very bad rap after what he did against the Trojans.