Overview
- National coordinator Steve Shaw ruled the Oct. 18 play a feigned injury after video showed a Texas A&M staffer signaling before Tyreek Chappell, who had not been contacted, went to the ground and returned two snaps later.
- The SEC said the tactic was a clear attempt to gain an unmerited injury timeout and violated the spirit of fair play.
- Texas A&M said it accepts the punishment but disputes the conclusion and maintains it does not coach players to fake injuries.
- Speaking Wednesday, Mike Elko called the episode an isolated situation as he defended the program’s integrity.
- Policy guidelines set escalating penalties, with a $100,000 fine for a second offense and potential one-game suspension for Elko on further violations, and this is the first fine issued under the rule.