The Southeastern Conference (SEC) has taken a firm stance against players feigning injuries in an effort to manipulate game situations. In a recent communication to league coaches and athletic directors, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey emphasized the importance of fair play and instructed teams to cease any actions related to faking injuries to create timeouts.
The league has also made adjustments to its rules to allow for more stringent penalties for violations. A new provision states that if the national coordinator for football officiating determines that a feigned injury likely occurred, it will be treated as such and subject to penalties.
Teams are now required to be prepared to compete within the rules of the game without resorting to deceptive tactics. Previously, teams had to submit video evidence for review, but now the SEC office can initiate a review if necessary.
Sankey emphasized that when facing a fast-paced offense, teams should use allocated timeouts to stop play or allow it to continue with the appropriate personnel and defensive strategies in place. Similarly, on offense, teams should use timeouts or accept penalties rather than feigning injuries to disrupt the game.
If a feigned injury is confirmed and no medical justification is provided, the SEC will impose fines and penalties on the responsible parties. For a team's first offense, the head coach will receive a public reprimand and a $50,000 financial penalty. Subsequent offenses will result in increased fines, suspensions, and accountability measures for coaches and staff members involved.
Sankey's message to teams was clear: play football with integrity and sportsmanship, and refrain from engaging in deceptive practices that undermine the spirit of the game.
These measures aim to uphold the integrity of college football and ensure that competition is fair and respectful. By cracking down on feigned injuries, the SEC is sending a strong message that such behavior will not be tolerated in the conference.
