In case you missed the update, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey is taking action against SEC teams that fake injuries. Common examples include defenses feigning injuries to disrupt the opposing offense’s momentum or offenses doing so to prevent a delay of game penalty.
Regardless of the justification, faking an injury has always been seen as unsportsmanlike. This news might have been overlooked by Georgia fans since it came out just before Georgia football’s significant victory over Florida last weekend. However, Kirby Smart made his stance clear earlier this week, showing that he isn’t concerned about the issue.
“I have respect for Commissioner Sankey and his directives,” Smart stated via 247sports.com. “We do not support that within our team or program, so it’s not something we need to address. We emphasize to our players that if you’re injured, you remain down; if not, you get up and play. That’s our approach.”
Georgia is not expected to change their operations. Many Georgia fans reacted positively to this news, as the team has never been associated with faking injuries. While it may have provided a minor competitive edge, fans are likely grateful that UGA has never resorted to such tactics to secure victories.
Ironically, Georgia has been highly successful in recent years without needing to fake injuries, raising questions about the teams that have done so.
This announcement is timely for Georgia, particularly since Ole Miss has gained a reputation for this behavior nationally. Therefore, Georgia can focus on their matchup against the Rebels without concern.
Though many criticize Sankey for his leadership in the SEC, credit is due for making a decisive move without hesitation during the season.
