ICYMI: Panthers' Graham Gano Shoves Band Member

Fans who stayed in their seats for the halftime show during the Sept. 7 faceoff between the Tampa Bay Bucs and the Carolina Panthers got quite a show. Not only did they get to witness a lively, but late performance from the Bethune-Cookman band, they also got to see Panthers’ kicker Graham Gano shove a trombone player out of his way.

That shove has since gone viral.

The kerfuffle occurred because the band was running late getting off the field, interfering with Gano’s practice time, Sports Talk Florida reported.

While Gano says he feels bad about the incident, band director Donovan Wells apologized for the tardiness in getting off the field.

“I have no ill feelings toward the kicker. I don’t think he did anything malicious,” the Tampa Bay Times quoted Wells as saying. Heavy thunderstorms on the band’s way from Daytona Beach to Tampa caused the delay – a first late performance in Wells’ 19 years with the school.

Wells apologized to the Bucs in writing and said he understand Gano wanted to go through his normal practice routine.

For his part, Gano said a desire to make sure he was warmed up prompted his impatience on the field.

“(It was the) only time I could get my work in,” he explained to the Black and Blue Review. He called it an “unfortunate situation” and said he feels bad about it.

As for the band’s performance, Gano said he was “enjoying hearing them play.”

The Panthers beat the Bucs 20-14 in Sept. 7 game.

What do you think about this? Was Gano right to practice or was it bad form? Tell us by commenting below!

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