The SEC has fined and reprimanded Texas A&M football for a ‘feigned injury’ in the Aggies’ 45-42 win over Arkansas this past Saturday. The National Coordinator of Football Officiating looked at game video to make the determination.
The moment that was considered a ‘feigned injury’ was with 12:55 remaining in the fourth quarter. Arkansas completed a pass to move down to Texas A&M’s 10-yard line for a first down. Cornerback Tyreek Chappell drops to the ground, with video showing a member of TAMU’s staff directing him to fall. The SEC notes that Chappell did not receive contact on the prior play and returned quickly.
The SEC spelled out that the National Coordinator determined there was ‘a clear attempt to gain an unmerited advantage by stopping the game to be awarded an injury time out. The action violates the spirit of the injury timeout and fair play and was conducted in a manner that appears to attempt to circumvent the NCAA’s injury time out rule to avoid the team being charged a time out.’
Here is the TV copy of the play that ended with Texas A&M DB Tyreek Chappell going down vs. Arkansas, which the National Coordinator of Football Officiating determined as an attempt to feign injury. A&M has been fined $50,000 and coach Mike Elko has received a public reprimand. pic.twitter.com/E7evlFt4GO
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The SEC has fined Texas A&M $50,000 for the infraction. It has also issued a reprimand to head coach Mike Elko for the violation of the rule. This is the standard procedure for the first found feigned injury.
If it happens again, the SEC will issue a fine of $100,000 along with the public reprimand. A third infraction would result in the head coach being suspended for a game. Other staff members may also be suspended.
Ross Dellenger noted that he believes this is the first time that this ruling has been made in the SEC. It’s been an increasingly bigger issue, particularly against offenses that use tempo, in recent years. Most teams across the conference, including Tennessee, have been accused of it at some point, as well.
