SEC drops the hammer on Texas A&M and Mike Elko for breaking rule that they believe no one else has broken this season
The Aggies just felt the wrath of the SEC.
The Texas A&M Aggies have officially felt a certain type of wrath from the SEC for the first time this season. It’s a feeling that no other team has felt, and it involved perceived fake injuries. Aggies head coach Mike Elko is being punished individually as well.
Texas A&M fined by SEC for feigning injury
Texas A&M has been fined $50,000 and coach Mike Elko received a public reprimand Tuesday after the National Coordinator for Football Officiating reviewed tape of an incident during the Aggies’ recent win over the Arkansas Razorbacks. The review determined that the Texas A&M coaching staff directed a player to go down with a feigned injury.
“Video of the questionable action, submitted to the National Coordinator by the Southeastern Conference office, occurred with 12:55 remaining in the game after Arkansas completed a pass for a first down just outside the Texas A&M 10-yard line. After the ball is spotted by officials, No. 7 for Texas A&M goes to the ground, creating the appearance of an injury. Just prior to the player going down, a Texas A&M staff member can be seen in the video standing in the team area near the 25-yard line signaling demonstratively to the player, pointing to the ground. It was noted that the Texas A&M player had no contact during the play and returned to the game on the second play of the ensuing defensive possession.” — Official statement from the SEC
This situation is not a usual issue this season, clearly. At the least, the SEC hasn’t noticed other teams doing this in other games as of yet because the Aggies are the first to receive this punishment so far.
If the Aggies are fined due to this situation again, it would double to $100,000. If it happens a third time, Elko would be suspended for a game, and other staffers could face penalties as a result, too.
It’s tough to believe that no other teams have used this method this season, though. This sort of activity had become popular in recent seasons, potentially most known for from Ole Miss Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin and his assistants. Other SEC teams, including the Alabama Crimson Tide, caught backlash from it at times in recent seasons as well. Plenty of teams were having “timely” injuries, but certain ones stood out more on social media.
No matter what – The conference is now trying to police this issue as much as possible, in order to prevent false injuries from being a way to help a team slow the other team’s momentum.
Regardless of intent, it is a tough pill to swallow for Elko and his staff since they got “caught” in the wrong. We will see if any other teams draw this fate later this season during SEC play and beyond.
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