Arkansas linebacker Jerry Franklin issued an apology tonight for his actions during last Saturday’s game against Georgia.

Franklin, who spoke to the media for the first time since the incident, said he took full responsibility for the two penalties that led to his ejection in the second quarter. One of the flags was for bumping into an official after a play.

“I’d like to apologize about what happen,” Franklin said. “I take full responsibility for both penalties. Pushing the players wasn’t right and bumping into the referee wasn’t right. I apologize to the officiating crew. I sent a letter to the chancellor and the officiating crew both, apologizing about the incident and what happened. I hope to use this as something I can learn from so it will never happen again.”

We were given an opportunity to ask Franklin three questions after his statement.

I asked Franklin how he felt watching things unravel after his ejection.

“It was heartbreaking watching your team go out there and battle and know you can’t be with them,” Franklin said.

He also was asked how his teammates responded.

“My teammates, they have my back,” Franklin said. “Even though they tell me I was wrong with what happened, they still have my back.”

Arkansas defensive coordinator Willy Robinson said Franklin’s actions against Georgia was out of character for the sophomore.

“Jerry’s a quiet guy. For him to lose his control the other day was not his nature to do that. You know, he’s a very quiet, humble guy,” Robinson. “So vocally, off the field, he’s not going to say much. He’s where he’s supposed to be, doing the things he’s supposed to do.

“He’s been very disciplined. I’m sure throughout the course of that, as that game went on, I’m sure the emotions were flying high. So it’s something out of the extraordinary for him to do something like that. But he’s really a good guy off the field, and he’s a fine football player on the field. He does everything like he’s supposed to do.”

 Make sure to check RazorbackCentral.com for more on Franklin tomorrow.