Auburn forward Johni Broome, front right, reaches out and apologises to Academy Award-winning actor and Mississippi fan Morgan Freeman, second from front left, after colliding with him while chasing the ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Mississippi on Saturday, February 3, 2024, in Oxford, Mississippi. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis.)
Oxford, Mississippi (AP) Auburn’s Johni Broome met one of his favourite movie stars—and apologised to Morgan Freeman for how it happened.
Broome, who scored 15 points in the Tigers’ 91-77 win over Mississippi on Saturday night, attempted to stop a ball from falling out of bounds in the second half when someone in the front row grabbed his shirt.
Broome brushed away the person’s arm, believing it was an Ole Miss fan attempting to rattle him.
It turned out to be Freeman, an Academy Award-winning actor who is a huge Mississippi Rebels fan and attends many of their games.
“I kind of got his hand off,” Broome told journalists. “I recognised who it was, because I’m a huge movie fan. I probably saw one of his films on the plane ride here.
“But when I realised it was him, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m a huge admirer. I apologise. He said, “Just keep playing.”
Broome returned to Freeman throughout the game after calling a personal foul on himself.
“I’m just like, ‘I’m sorry, again,'” Broome explained. “He said, ‘You’re good. Just keep playing. He’s a very nice guy. “I love him.”
Broome and his Auburn teammates overcame a 13-point hole in the first half with a dominant second half to defeat Freeman’s favourite team. The Tigers have improved to 18-4 overall.
