Oregon’s Traeshon Holden apologizes for spitting incident vs. Ohio State

Oregon wide receiver Traeshon Holden issued a public apology Sunday after being ejected from Saturday’s victory over Ohio State for spitting at or on an opposing player.

Holden was given a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in addition to being ejected following the incident, which occurred in the second quarter of the Ducks’ 32-31 victory over the Buckeyes at Autzen Stadium in Eugene. On a second-and-goal play from the Ohio State 10, Holden and Buckeyes cornerback Davison Igbinosun briefly made contact near the goal line, and Holden spit toward Igbinosun’s face as he was running back toward the huddle.

Oregon eventually kicked a field goal to take a 15-14 lead. On Sunday, Holden issued an apology to Igbinosun and his teammates via his social media accounts.

“I want to sincerely apologize for my actions during our recent game,” he wrote in part. “My actions were not only disrespectful but also a betrayal of the values of sportsmanship, integrity and respect that I strive to embody as a student-athlete. …To Ohio State, I offer my sincerest apologies for my behavior. It was completely unacceptable and a momentary lapse in judgment. I want to emphasize that this incident does not reflect who I am as a person or the values I aim to uphold.”

Holden transferred to Oregon from Alabama after the 2022 season, during which he started five of 10 games for the Crimson Tide and scored a touchdown in the Iron Bowl. The Kissimmee, Fla., native played three seasons total at Alabama, totaling 46 receptions for 572 yards and seven touchdowns after redshirting in 2020.

Holden was briefly dismissed from the Oregon team in February 2023 following an arrest, but was reinstated after charges were dropped. He caught 37 passes for 452 yards and six touchdowns for the Ducks last season, and has 20 receptions for 306 yards and a touchdown through six games this year.