In the first quarter of Thursday’s Sugar Bowl showdown between Georgia and Notre Dame, Bulldogs walk-on player Parker Jones was penalized for making contact with an official who was running down the sideline.
That 15-yard penalty nullified Georgia’s 67-yard pass that had the Bulldogs down inside the Fight Irish’s 10-yard line with the game tied 0-0. Georgia ended up not scoring any points on that drive and Notre Dame went on to eventually win 23-10.
The ESPN broadcast referenced the penalty multiple times during the game and cameras circled back to Jones several times. Former NFL cornerback Pat Surtain Sr. — the father of Denver Broncos star Pat Surtain II — did not appreciate ESPN’s coverage of the penalty.
“They wrong for showing #39 saying it was a key play,” Surtain tweeted on Thursday. “The guy is already devastated, his penalty had no outcome on the game!!”
In a follow-up tweet, Surtain added: “I actually thought the guy was in the green, and what happened to the warning?!”
Surtain certainly was not alone in his stance.
ESPN showing Parker Jones again and again acting like he’s the reason that Georgia couldn’t move the ball, tackle, show discipline or come up with the big play when they needed it.
Do better. pic.twitter.com/fUcut8eLFU
— Tim Preston (@TimmyTebrows) January 3, 2025
The internet absolutely savaging Parker Jones. For sure it was a Dodo bird move on his part, but ESPN trying to ruin his life with constant pan overs is a bad look. pic.twitter.com/ceiGowKPlR
— Megs (@Rad_Megss) January 3, 2025
ESPN bashing Parker Jones at any opportunity 😂😭 pic.twitter.com/t7klKbSNU3
— #neverdaunted 🔱 stan account (@alec_pena1997) January 3, 2025
ESPN is garbage. Parker Jones is a young kid who DID NOT cost Georgia the game. Show some maturity and wisdom and leave the kid alone.
— Dave Price (@daveprice) January 3, 2025
ESPN continuing to show shots of Parker Jones with Sean McDonough commentary about it in a game UGA is down 13 is pretty gross, to be honest.
— John Talty (@JTalty) January 3, 2025
Following their win against the Bulldogs, the Fighting Irish will now face the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 9.
