SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey has issued a stern warning to athletic directors and head coaches in the league regarding the issue of players faking injuries during games. In a memo obtained by ESPN, Sankey emphasized the need to put an end to any form of activity related to feigning injuries in order to create time-outs.
The memo, which was sent out on Friday, clearly states that the practice of faking injuries disrupts the rhythm and flow of the game, especially for offenses that operate at a fast pace. Coaches have increasingly raised concerns about opposing teams using fake injuries as a tactic to gain an advantage.
To address this issue, all plays where a fake injury is suspected will be reviewed by the SEC. The national coordinator of football officiating, Steve Shaw, will be responsible for determining whether a feigned injury has occurred. Sankey’s memo outlines a range of guidelines that Shaw will use to assess the likelihood of a player faking an injury.
Sankey emphasized that creating injury timeouts, whether on offense or defense, is unacceptable and disrespectful to the game of football. As a result, he has laid out a series of punishments for those involved in faking injuries. For a first offense, a head coach will receive a public reprimand and a $50,000 fine. A second offense will result in another reprimand and a $100,000 fine, while a third offense will lead to a reprimand and a suspension for the coach’s next game.
Furthermore, any staff member found to be signaling or directing a player to fake an injury will face similar measures, including financial penalties and suspensions. Players who are caught feigning injuries may also be subject to public reprimands.
Sankey’s actions come in response to the growing concerns about the prevalence of fake injuries in college football. In a recent statement, he expressed his worries about the impact of these accusations on the integrity of the game.
“It’s important to take injuries seriously, but we need to put an end to the practice of faking injuries,” Sankey said. “This is a nationwide issue that needs to be addressed.”
By cracking down on fake injuries, the SEC aims to uphold the spirit of fair play and sportsmanship in college football. Coaches, players, and staff members are now on notice that any involvement in feigning injuries will result in serious consequences.
