SEC cracks down on coaches and teams faking injuries to slow rush violations

The Southeastern Conference is cracking down on its players who fall and feign injuries.

In a letter to league coaches and athletic directors shared with The Associated Press on Friday, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey advised teams to “cease any activity associated with faking injuries to create timeouts.” Yahoo Sports was the first to report the letter.

The league also changed an existing rule to give it more latitude in punishing coaches and programs for violations. Now, if the National Football Refereeing Coordinator says that it is likely that an injury has been feigned, then this will be considered a feigned injury and will be subject to sanction.

“Your team must be prepared to compete fairly under the rules of the game,” Sankey wrote.

Before Friday’s rules adjustment, teams had to submit a video to the national coordinator for review. The SEC’s office can now request a video review if necessary.

“When defending against a rush offense, you must use designated team timeouts if you need to stop the play, or you can allow the play to continue with personnel and defensive play,” Sankey wrote. “On offense, if the game clock is running out, you must use a team timeout or accept a deferment of the game penalty.

“Calling injury timeouts under these circumstances is unacceptable and disrespectful to the game of college football.”

A false report of injury may be overturned if medical information is provided to show that the player was forced to stop playing due to injury.

Otherwise, the SEC would have implemented the following fine structure that already existed:

— For the first time a feigned injury is detected on a team, the head coach will receive a public reprimand and a financial penalty of $50,000 will be imposed.

— For the second time a team is found to have a feigned injury, the head coach will receive a public reprimand and a financial penalty of $100,000.

– For the team’s third conclusion about faking an injury and any subsequent conclusions, the head coach will receive a public reprimand and the team will be suspended from participating in the next competition.

— If any other employee is found to have participated in flagging, encouraging, or directing simulated abuse, that individual will be subject to the same penalties set forth in this memorandum, including public reprimand, financial penalties, and suspension.

— If a student-athlete is cited for faking an injury, he or she may also be subject to a public reprimand.

“Play football and stop the fake injury bullshit,” Sankey wrote.

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