The family of Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson has issued a public apology following a physical altercation involving Johnson’s father and brother after the Wildcats’ season-opening loss to Iowa State in Dublin, Ireland. The incident, which reportedly took place at Aviva Stadium shortly after Kansas State’s 24-21 defeat in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, was captured on video and quickly went viral on social media.
In a joint statement released through sports outlet On3, Mark Johnson, Avery’s father, and Anthony Johnson, his brother, expressed remorse for their actions. “Senseless bickering escalated into an unnecessary fight. We have resolved our differences and take full responsibility for our actions,” the two said. They added apologies not only to their immediate family but also to Kansas State University, its alumni, and supporters, stressing that they “regret this incident, have learned from it, and are committed to ensuring it doesn’t happen again.”
According to reports by 247Sports’ Tim Fitzgerald, the altercation stemmed from a disagreement inside the stadium that eventually became physical. Authorities in Dublin have been contacted for further details, though no official report has yet been confirmed.
Despite the off-field controversy, Avery Johnson delivered a strong performance during the game, throwing for 273 yards and two touchdowns. However, the loss marked Kansas State’s fifth defeat in six seasons against their Big 12 rivals. The Wildcats will look to rebound when they host North Dakota next week, while Iowa State will continue its campaign at home against South Dakota.
The family’s apology seeks to shift focus back to football as Kansas State prepares to regroup, with both the university community and fans now watching how the program responds on and off the field in the weeks ahead.
