Ty Washington joins 4th & 5 podcast to discuss his dismissal from Arkansas

On Monday, Sam Pittman broke the news that tight ends Ty Washington and Var'Keys Gumms were removed from the team. Now, one of those players has spoken up about what happened this weekend after Arkansas's huge win over Mississippi State.

Ty Washington joined former tight end and Arkansas great DJ Williams on the 4th & 5 podcast to dispel the rumors floating around social media. "I'm shocked, to be honest. Shocked that I've given so much to this program, given so much to this University, and so much blood, sweat, and tears that I'm just let go," said Washington When Williams asked about how he was feeling.

According to Washington, Sam Pittman called a meeting with the former TE and promptly removed him from the team. Washington recalled his conversation with Pittman, stating, "Basically, he was being, like, very assertive... Like, he's the one in power, which everybody knows."

"But it was just like, 'You're off the team,'" Washington continued. "I tried to explain it to him, like, 'You're kicking me off the team, but can you listen to me.' 'I don't have to listen to you. You're not on the team anymore.'"

So, what was so bad that forced Pittman to come down on the redshirt sophomore? Washington later revealed that what caused this whole fiasco was his refusal to play against Mississippi State. Washington had received upsetting personal news just before the game and it understandably affected him emotionally. But apparently, he'd also been dealing with frustrations about playing time.

"For the past two weeks, they have not been playing me. I asked them constantly why they haven't, and I got no answer," Washington said. "But I already had things going on physically and mentally that was already messing me up, and I was trying to tell them I'm not okay."

Of course, this is only one side of the story, but it's a tough day for those critics of Sam Pittman's "good 'ole boy" demeanor. The way Pittman allegedly handled the situation came with an iron fist. In the past two seasons, the locker room turned toxic as the year progressed, and Pittman's "player's coach" label was the first thing people blamed. Well, it looks like he's learned from his mistakes. He's nipping problems in the bud before they spread around the program.

Even Washington knew that it was the right call from Pittman. "So, at the end of the day, do you understand why Coach Pittman maybe had to do what he needed to do?" Williams asked Washington. He responded, "Yeah, but at the same time, it's just I wish it was handled differently."

Washington later apologized to his teammates and the Arkansas fanbase for letting them down. "I'm sorry to the Razorback Nation... I feel like I let them down just because I let my grief and frustration get the best of me."

As a Hog, Washington recorded 14 receptions for 212 yards and four touchdowns in his three seasons at Arkansas.