Michael Richardson, the Texas A&M football student assistant who hit two West Virginia football players when they found themselves near the Aggies' sideline, has been fired.

According to ESPN, Texas A&M head football coach Kevin Sumlin announced Richardson's dismissal in a statement Tuesday. In his public statement, Sumlin also apologized to West Virginia University and the players Richardson hit.

On one play, a West Virginia offensive player ran out of bounds and Richardson threw an elbow toward his facemask. A few minutes of game time later, West Virginia cornerback Daryl Worely defended a pass near the sideline and back stepped his way off the field to slow himself down. When he approached, Richardson shoved him in the back of the helmet.

"Upon returning to College Station last night, I had the opportunity to gather information and watch clips of one of our student assistant coaches initiating physical contact on two separate occasions with a West Virginia player," Sumlin said. "I am extremely disappointed and embarrassed, as his behavior reflected poorly on our program.

"On behalf of the Texas A&M football program, I want to apologize to Daryl Worley and to Andrew Buie as well as to Coach Holgorsen and the West Virginia family for the inexcusable actions of the student assistant. I removed him from the sideline at halftime of yesterday's game after being informed of the incidents and, after further review, have permanently dismissed him from our football program."

Richardson did not talk to any news outlets, but delivered a statement on his Twitter account to apologize, explaining that he lost himself "in the heat of the moment." Worley also posted a response in a similar fashion, accepting apology and addressing the need for better sideline rules.

During the publication of this article, Worley's tweet and Twitter account were apparently deleted.