‘It’s a joke’ – Former SEC official comments on rule that wasn’t enforced in Oklahoma’s win against Tennessee
Oklahoma Sooners kicker Tate Sandell went viral for the short shorts that he wore against the Tennessee Vols last weekend in Knoxville.
Oklahoma Sooners kicker Tate Sandell went viral last weekend for the shorts he wore in the win over the Tennessee Vols.
Sandell’s shorts were a little shorter than what you typically see players wear.
Numerous fans and media members pointed out during (and after) the game that Sandell’s short shorts are against NCAA rules.
The NCAA rule states: “Knee pads must be covered by pants. Furthermore, the pants and
knee pads must cover the knees. No pads or protective equipment may be
worn outside the pants.”
Retired SEC official Gerald Hodges comments on the NCAA rule about the length of shorts
Retired SEC official Gerald Hodges joined WNML’s SportsTalk earlier this week and he was asked about Sandell’s shorts.
Hodges suggested that the rule should be removed from the rule book because no one actually enforces it.
“If they’re not going to enforce the rule, take it out of the rule book,” said Hodges. “I mean, it’s a joke — it literally is. The rule book says the pads to have to cover the knee and they have to have the knee pad. And they just look the other way…it’s become laughable to a point. Either take it out or enforce it.”
Hodges is right — they need to either take the rule out or enforce it. Pick one and go with it.
And by the way, I don’t think Sandell should’ve been penalized last Saturday night against the Vols.
This is something that players have been getting away with for quite a while now. Sandell’s shorts were egregiously short, but I don’t think officials can say something about his shorts when they let other players play in violation of the rule.
Former Tennessee kicker Chase McGrath, for example, technically wasn’t in compliance with the rule when he made the game-winning field goal against Alabama in 2022.
McGrath’s shorts were obviously nowhere close to being as short as Sandell’s, but the knee was still exposed.
I don’t think this debate is anywhere near the top of the list of things that college football leaders should be worried about right now, but it is something that the NCAA should probably get a handle on. Otherwise, November may end up becoming Speedo season for kickers.
This article was originally published on A to Z Sports Tennessee Vols as ‘It’s a joke’ – Former SEC official comments on rule that wasn’t enforced in Oklahoma’s win against Tennessee.
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