UNLV's Gilliam apologizes for eating sushi off nude model on 'Below Deck'
UNLV quarterback Max Gilliam issued an apology Monday, saying he'd demonstrated "poor judgment" on the reality TV show "Below Deck" when he was filmed eating sushi off the body of a nude model.
"I would like to apologize for my poor judgment while on the TV show 'Below Deck' and acknowledge that I have made a mistake that I will learn from," Gilliam posted on Twitter. "While it was not my idea nor any of my friends' ideas to eat sushi off of a model, I should have exercised better judgment and declined the idea immediately when it was brought up by the producers.
"This is not a reflection of my character or the way I was raised nor a reflection of the culture of UNLV football. I would like to humbly move past this and focus my time and energy on our game against the University of Hawaii this weekend."
"Below Deck" follows a group of crew members who work and live on a yacht and also features the passengers aboard the boat. The senior passer and his friends appeared on the program as passengers. His group "requested the sushi to be laid out on a nude model," reports Adam Hill of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. This eighth season of the series was filmed in Antigua during February and March, and Gilliam's initial appearance aired in November.
Rebels head coach Marcus Arroyo said the incident caught him and the school off guard, according to ESPN's Tyler Bischoff.
"We were unaware of the details of the matter until it was brought to our attention this morning. We're reviewing the matter internally," Arroyo said. "However, when we talk intently about what we're building here, we mean thoroughly and completely.
"Each of our players, especially our senior leadership, must recognize that when we go out in public we're representing this team, this university, and the alumni and fan base. How we conduct ourselves in public is just as important as how we do on the field. I was made aware of Max's recent statement, and it is apparent that he also agrees."
Gilliam has played in all five contests for UNLV this season, completing 73 of 121 pass attempts for 599 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions.
UNLV will try to earn its first win of the season on the road against Hawaii on Saturday.