Blue Springs suspends Jaylen Ivey two games for kicking opposing player

Blue Springs junior running back Jaylen Ivey will be suspended for two games after he kicked an opposing player during the final moments of a game Friday.

After running for the game-clinching first down in a 21-20 victory against Lee’s Summit West, Ivey popped to his feet and then kicked the player who tackled him. The sequence went viral over the weekend, with several national websites posting footage.

Ivey was immediately ejected from the game, which carries a mandatory one-game suspension from the Missouri State High School Activities Association. Blue Springs will suspend him for an additional game, coach Kelly Donohoe told The Star on Monday.

After the ejection, Ivey walked to the sideline, ripped off his helmet and began yelling as he paced behind the bench. He knocked over the top of a trash can.

On Monday morning, Donohoe accompanied Ivey and his father to Lee’s Summit West, where they apologized to school officials.

“He’s been an outstanding kid for us on the field and in the classroom, but he made one big mistake,” Donohoe said. “It’s unfortunate because he’s been seen in a very negative way, but it took us by all surprise because that’s not who he is.”

Donohoe said Ivey has also apologized to the coaching staff and his teammates.

The school district did not make Ivey available for comment, but on Friday night, he tweeted about the incident.

“I (would) just like to apologize to everyone tonight, most importantly my teammates and coaches and (Lee’s Summit West) fans and anyone who witnessed tonight’s game,” Ivey posted on Twitter. “I lost my cool (completely), which was totally uncalled for and is completely out of my nature.

“I hope this didn’t change your guys’ perspective of me as an athlete and most importantly as a person. I’ll work as hard as possible to keep my anger inside me and turn it into better play on the field and not negative play, which resulted in my suspension next week.”

Ivey ran for 378 yards and seven touchdowns a week earlier in a 58-45 win against Lee’s Summit. He was named The Star’s high school football player of the week.

Blue Springs is ranked No. 2 in the Missouri Class 6 state poll.

This story was originally published August 29, 2016 at 3:46 PM with the headline "Blue Springs suspends Jaylen Ivey two games for kicking opposing player."