Particle.news
Download on the App Store

SEC Fines Texas A&M $50,000, Reprimands Mike Elko in First Feigned-Injury Case

A video review by the national officiating coordinator found a staffer signaled Tyreek Chappell to go down late in the win at Arkansas.

Overview

  • SEC-submitted footage showed Chappell sitting after the ball was spotted with about 12:55 left, no contact on the prior play, and a return two snaps later.
  • Under the policy adopted in 2022, a second finding draws a $100,000 fine and further violations can trigger a one-game suspension for Elko plus additional sanctions.
  • Texas A&M said it respects the decision yet disagrees with the ruling and asserted coaches do not instruct players to feign injuries.
  • This is the conference’s first enforcement of the feigned-injury rule, following similar crackdowns elsewhere such as the ACC’s fine of Syracuse last month.
  • Some observers argue the tape could reflect a legitimate cramp or sideline communication, while the SEC characterized the act as an attempt to gain an unmerited timeout.