South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer addresses the increasing issue of players feigning injuries to disrupt game flow, emphasizing its negative impact on the sport’s integrity.
NEW: Shane Beamer on fake injuries: 'Bad look for everyone involved'😬
“A team that we played this season — it’s amazing how many times they had an injury on defense after the opposing offense made a first down on an explosive play and had some momentum.”
(via @PeteNakos_)… pic.twitter.com/Z3gs5bdC8k
— On3 (@On3sports) February 10, 2025
To combat the issue of players faking injuries to disrupt the flow of college football games, several measures have been proposed or implemented.
The NCAA Football Rules Committee is reviewing a proposal from the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) that would require any player receiving medical attention on the field to sit out for the remainder of the possession. This rule is intended to deter players from using fake injuries to gain unwarranted stoppages. Exceptions would be made if a coach calls a timeout to allow the player to re-enter or if the injury results from a penalized hit.
In November 2024, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey issued a directive to coaches and athletic directors, warning against instructing players to fake injuries. The SEC introduced a tiered penalty system for violations:
- First Offense: A public reprimand of the head coach and a $50,000 fine.
- Second Offense: Another public reprimand and a $100,000 fine.
- Third Offense: Suspension of the head coach for the next game, with possible suspensions for other involved staff members.
Sankey’s message was direct: “Play football and stop the feigned injury nonsense.” These efforts are part of a larger push to preserve the integrity of college football and eliminate tactics that compromise fair play.
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