Titans Rookie Fernando Carmona Addresses Controversial Liberty Bowl Stomp

April 26, 2026 - 03:05

Tennessee Titans fifth-round draft pick Fernando Carmona has publicly addressed the incident that marred his final college appearance, offering his perspective on the stomping controversy from the 2024 Liberty Bowl. The offensive lineman, selected by the Titans in the 2025 NFL Draft, spoke candidly about the moment that drew widespread scrutiny during the postseason bowl game.

Carmona, who played his senior season at Arkansas before transferring to a different program for his final collegiate campaign, was involved in a heated exchange during the Liberty Bowl that resulted in him appearing to stomp on an opposing player. The incident occurred late in the game as players from both teams were tangled near the line of scrimmage. Television replays showed Carmona’s cleat making contact with a downed defender, leading to an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and subsequent ejection.

In his first extended comments since the draft, Carmona acknowledged the incident but emphasized that it was not premeditated. “It was a highly emotional game, and in the heat of the moment, things escalated,” Carmona explained. “I take full responsibility for my actions, and I’ve learned from that experience. It’s not who I am as a player or a person.” He added that he has since apologized to the opposing player and has worked on maintaining composure under pressure.

The 6-foot-5, 330-pound lineman projects as a developmental guard or tackle for the Titans, who value his raw power and aggressive playing style. Head coach Brian Callahan indicated that the team has reviewed the incident and believes Carmona’s remorse is genuine. “We’ve had conversations about accountability and professionalism,” Callahan said. “Fernando understands the standard we expect.”

Carmona’s explanation comes as he prepares for rookie minicamp, where he aims to prove that the Liberty Bowl incident was an isolated lapse rather than a pattern of behavior. With a strong offseason, he could compete for a rotational role on Tennessee’s offensive line in 2025.