North Carolina AD apologizes to Clemson for jabbing football fans on video board

Gameday operations officials at the University of North Carolina cracked jokes at the expense of Clemson fans Saturday afternoon, but not everyone rolled with the punchlines.

During a break in action of Clemson's 21-20 victory in Chapel Hill, the video board displayed individuals with overlaid captions insinuating that they were bandwagon Clemson fans.

One shot suggested a lady "thinks that Clemson is in Georgia." Another teased that a man "thinks 'The Fridge' (former Clemson All-American William Perry) is just a kitchen appliance."

While some Clemson fans accepted the jabs as good-natured ribbing, several denounced the display as classless and demeaning. Some shared their displeasure via social media. Some sent complaints to UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham.

According to UNC associate athletic director for strategic communications Robbi Pickeral Evans, Cunningham apologized to Clemson president James Clements and athletic director Dan Radakovich on Sunday.

Pickeral Evans said Cunningham "also has responded to all of the emails he has received so far about the video board spot."

"We want everyone who comes to Chapel Hill to have a positive experience on our campus — whether they are our supporters or our opponents’ fans, first-time visitors or long-time guests," Cunningham wrote. "The video board spot featuring Clemson fans on Saturday was not in that spirit.

"We regret that it was produced...We addressed the inappropriateness of the spot with the responsible staff members immediately after it was shown, and we will continue to address this week the breakdown in process that led to it."