Birmingham Bowl 103

Memphis defensive back Reggis Ball (39) returns an interception as Auburn wide receiver Ricardo Louis (5) tackles him during the Birmingham Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015, in Birmingham, Ala. (Albert Cesare/The Montgomery Advertiser via AP) NO SALES; MANDATORY CREDIT

(Albert Cesare)

The former Memphis football player who stole an Auburn game ball following the Birmingham Bowl issued an apology on Tuesday.

Reggis Ball, who tackled a member of Auburn's equipment staff to the turf and stole a football following Auburn's 31-10 win at Legion Field, penned a hand written apology via his Facebook account, as first reported by the Memphis Rivals affiliated site.

Reggis Ball pens apology to Auburn on his Facebook page pic.twitter.com/G7yb1rxcS1 — Bryan Moss-Namowicz (@RivalsBmoss) January 5, 2016

The letter reads:

"Dear Mr. Jay Jacobs,

I would like to formally apologize for my interaction with a member of your football program, following your Auburn football program's win at the Birmingham Bowl. In addition, I would like to also apologize for keeping a game ball that was not awarded to me.

I have made sure that the ball is returned to the Auburn football program. My actions following the game were infantile and took away from your program's much deserved victory. These actions are in no way a reflection of the University of Memphis athletic department, football program, or my character.

I am deeply disappointed that this incident overshadowed the Birmingham Bowl and I hope my apology is heartfelt. Though this has been one of the most embarrassing moments in my life, I will be sure to learn from this and continue to become a much better person and a better player.

I appreciate the Auburn football program's sportsmanship, and I apologize for any inconvenience that this error in judgement may have caused. Please accept my sincere apology.

R. Ball"

An Auburn official could not immediately confirm if the program received the stolen football.

Ball, who had two interceptions, including a 53-yard return for touchdown late in the first half against Auburn, signed the stolen football and posted a photo on his Instagram account following the game. The post has since been removed, but two other game balls, from Tulsa and Cincinnati, are posted.

Video of the postgame incident was posted to Facebook by a fan and shows the 5-foot-11, 200-pound Ball shoving the Auburn staffer after taking the football and running away.

Memphis #39 tackles auburn ball boy , steals ball and runs off the field! Posted by Russell Smith on Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Less than four hours after the game, Memphis "removed" Ball, a senior, from its football team and issued an apology from athletic director Tom Bowen and incoming coach Mike Norvell.