Video: Auburn’s Johni Broome Apologizes for Smacking Morgan Freeman’s Hand Away

Erin WalshFebruary 4, 2024

Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

When Auburn senior Johni Broome felt a hand come from the sideline and grab his jersey during Saturday’s win over Ole Miss, he thought it was any old Rebels fan trying to hold onto him.

He got the surprise of a lifetime when he realized it was legendary actor Morgan Freeman.

After saving the ball from going out of bounds, Freeman put his hands up just incase the 6’10” big man came tumbling down onto him. Broome thought he was trying to grab his jersey, so he smacked his hand away.

Once he realized it was Freeman, Broome turned around and apologized.

“I thought it was an Ole Miss fan just grabbing my jersey and holding onto me,” Broome told reporters after the game. “Then I saw who it was and, you know, I’m a big movie guy. I probably watched some of his movies on the plane coming here. But I realized it was him and was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m a big fan, I’m sorry.’ And he just said to keep playing.”

CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 @CBSSportsCBBThe moment Johni Broome realized it was Morgan Freeman 🫢 pic.twitter.com/S3LgzRLKbj

Technically Broome wasn’t wrong as Freeman is an Ole Miss fan, he’s just not your everyday fan.

Broome was impressive in the Tigers’ 91-77 win over the Rebels, notching 15 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in 25 minutes to help Auburn improve to 18-4 on the season.

Ole Miss, meanwhile, dropped to 18-4 with the loss.