A much-needed change.
The fake injuries this season have gotten out of control, so much so that SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey is going to start penalizing teams that participate in them.
A third offense from the same program could result in a coaching suspension.
In a memo sent to SEC coaches and AD’s, Sankey said — “When defending against a ‘hurry up’ offense, you are to use the allocated team time-outs if you need to stop play, or you may allow the play to continue with the personnel and defensive play call in place…”
Greg Sankey sent a memo to SEC coaches & ADs ordering them to stop directing players to feign injuries & instituting penalties that include, on a 3rd offense, a coach suspension, per a copy obtained by @YahooSports.
“Play football & stop the feigned injury nonsense,” he writes. pic.twitter.com/1ShgBeve9V
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) November 1, 2024
Sankey even called the feigned injuries disrespectful to the game of football and will start instituting penalties. The first time it happens, the head coach will receive a public reprimand, and a “financial penalty” of $50,00 will be assessed.
Second time — a public reprimand of the head coach and a financial penalty of $100,000.
Third time — the head coach will be suspended for the team’s following game. Any other coaches on the coaching staff also found in violation will be suspended as well.
Ole Miss came under fire in their game against Kentucky, when Jaxson Dart was seen giving a signal to running back Matt Jones, and Jones instantly fell to the ground, causing an injury timeout.
Blatant fake injury from Ole Miss vs. Kentucky
(via @ESPN)pic.twitter.com/l09rrJ7cA1
— On3 (@On3sports) September 28, 2024
It seems that Sankey has put his foot down and is standing firm on stopping the plague that has become fake injuries.