Greg Sankey fed up with fake injuries; Threatening SEC coaches with suspension

Kentucky fans are all too familiar with the ol' fake injury to stall a drive or prove a point. Honestly, who knows why Lane Kiffin was doing it against Kentucky? The now infamous video of Jaxson Dart directing Matt Jones to fall down and "be injured" was really the first time this season that we noticed a new "fake injury" game plan.

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey is fed up with it. In a memo sent to SEC coaches and athletic directors at all SEC schools, he said, "Stop the feigned injury nonsense." He told coaches that programs that participate in fake injuries will face fines and suspensions.

Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports received a copy of this memo sent out and a screenshot of the entire notice from Sankey:

The bold parts are the statements that Sankey pulled no punches. He said, "If a game stoppage is needed, use a team time-out in accordance with NCAA Football Rule 3-3-4. This is not a complicated or confusing principle." Later in the memo, he said, "Play football and stop the feigned injury nonsense."

Fines start at $50k on the first offense, climb to $100k on the second strike, and, finally, if the team continues to do this, coaches will be suspended. This statement comes as a relief and excitement for football fans who are also tired of it. Many fans did not want football to become like professional soccer, in which fake injuries are commonplace.

Mark Stoops has yet to implement this strategy this season but was called out for it in 2023, whether he admitted to it or not. If he tries it now, it won't be a slap on the wrist or even people complaining on social media; it'll be an invoice from the SEC. Greg Sankey is no longer messing around. He's ready to put a stop to it.