College football players feigning injuries during games to give their teams extra breathing space without calling timeouts has been an underlying storyline this season.
The Ole Miss Rebels addressed allegations Friday that their players were feigning injuries ahead of a key game against the LSU Tigers. Ole Miss isn't the only team accused of pulling off this move over the past few years.
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Nick Saban leaves the field after it was renamed in his honor at Bryant-Denny Stadium during Alabama's 42-16 victory over South Florida in Tuscaloosa on September 7, 2024. (Gary Cosby Jr. – USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
Former Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban issued a scathing statement on the issue Saturday morning during “College GameDay.”
“This is the integrity of the game,” he said. “And no player is going to fail in the game without a signal from the coach, which means slowing down the game. There's a history to all of this, because back in the day you had to run. Injury. If you do so, please leave the field.
“I mean, I had to run off the field because I broke my leg. Well, the fast ball came and everybody said, 'If you're hurt, stay down, don't get up. We're going to take turns. 'I can't' fast enough.
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Nick Saban speaks to friends and supporters during the annual Knicks Kids Foundation Luncheon at Bryant-Denny Stadium on August 14, 2024. (Imagination)
“So now people are taking advantage of this rule, but I think until there is some kind of penalty for doing it, and whether a player is injured or not is very sensitive for the authorities. I know it's a problem, but it should be a flop rule. If a player actually stands up, goes down and flops right before play begins, then perhaps a charge timeout should be applied to that team. I mean, it's very obvious sometimes in situations where players are flopping. ”
South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer questioned Ole Miss' injuries last week.
“First of all, I hope they're all okay. … I had my own issues. We just got our butts kicked 27-3. But the opponent's offense… It's interesting to me how many injuries happen to them after they get a first down or a big play,'' Beamer said.
“If you go back and watch the Wake Forest game, that happens a lot. If you watch the Kentucky game, that happens a lot. The timing of some of the injuries is really bad for college football. ”
Ole Miss answered.
“Injury faking has become a hot topic in the college football world, and we recognize that our program is part of that discussion. We have been in contact with the National Coordinator of Football Officiating. “We have provided relevant medical information for review to answer questions regarding the recent injury,” the school said in a statement.
Head coach Shane Beamer reacts after another injury slowed his offense at Mississippi State, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Columbia, South Carolina. (AP Photo/Artie Walker Jr.)
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“We have also updated the SEC office and our head coach will be communicating with our coaches and players to ensure we are acting appropriately and complying in this regard.” .”
FOX News' Ryan Canfield contributed to this report.
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