When Michigan State football head coach Pat Fitzgerald stuck his middle finger toward the field on Saturday, some fans said he took things too far. Yet, overwhelmingly, fans were supportive of his actions and appreciated the fact that he stuck up for his players. 

On Monday, Fitzgerald said his actions were unprofessional and that he needs to stay composed in emotional situations.

“I've got to be more disciplined and have more composure,” Fitzgerald said. “I'm the leader of our team, and I have high expectations in myself. And obviously, like I said, I make mistakes. And I told the team this morning that I apologize for any distraction that I may have created.”

The video immediately went viral, sparking substantial attention on social media. It was an honest, unfiltered reaction to a game-changing call late in the fourth quarter. 

It came after MSU decided to deploy a surprise onside kick, and it worked. Freshman wide receiver Samson Gash dived on the ball in bounds, setting the Spartans up on offense with an opportunity to complete the 17-point comeback.

However, the referee threw a flag on the play, saying Gash was offside before the kicker made contact with the ball. The fans let out a tumultuous roar of disagreement and Fitzgerald followed.

“My mom’s rolling over in her grave, so I need to be more disciplined and I need to be more composed,” Fitzgerald said. “I do have a passion problem, and I’ve had that for a long time, but that needs to be controlled and not be emotional. And I was emotional, and I can’t do that. I know I can’t do that.”

Fitzgerald admitted his team shouldn’t have put the refs in that position in the first place, but the call certainly altered how the final minutes unfolded. The Spartans went from forging their own path with the momentum of a rejuvenated fan base to needing another defensive stop and a score.

MSU executed nonetheless, but it shouldn’t have had to. The defense was depleted by injuries on all three levels, which played a role in Fitzgerald’s decision to ultimately go for the two-point conversion instead of an extra point, which would've tied the game. That conversion fell incomplete, and the Spartans lost 38-37.

Despite any social media backlash, Fitzgerald remains comfortable sticking up for his players, fans and school.

“But I’m not going to apologize for fighting for my guys. I mean, I’m not going to apologize for fighting for our program and for our school," Fitzgerald said. "I’m really proud of their response. I’m not proud of mine, but I’m proud of theirs, and I’m going to do everything I can to fight for them.”