BIRMINGHAM, AL — The Southeastern Conference issued a $50,000 fine to the Texas A&M Football team on Tuesday for faking an injury during the Aggies' most recent matchup with Arkansas. Texas A&M won the game 45-42.
"Video of the questionable action, submitted to the National Coordinator by the Southeastern Conference office, occurred with 12:55 remaining in the game after Arkansas completed a pass for a first down just outside the Texas A&M 10-yard line," the SEC said.
"After the ball is spotted by officials, No. 7 for Texas A&M goes to the ground, creating the appearance of an injury. Just prior to the player going down, a Texas A&M staff member can be seen in the video standing in the team area near the 25-yard line signaling demonstratively to the player, pointing to the ground. It was noted that the Texas A&M player had no contact during the play and returned to the game on the second play of the ensuing defensive possession."
Officials noted that the player had no contact on the play and returned to the field two snaps later, confirming the injury was feigned to halt play.
The finding concluded that the action constituted “a clear attempt to gain an unmerited advantage by stopping the game to be awarded an injury timeout,” violating the spirit of fair play and the NCAA’s injury timeout rule.
As a result, the SEC issued a public reprimand to head coach Mike Elko and imposed a $50,000 fine on Texas A&M — the first-tier penalty under league policy for feigned injury violations.
The SEC’s policy, established in August 2022, outlines escalating consequences for repeated violations:
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First offense: Public reprimand and $50,000 fine.
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Second offense: Public reprimand and $100,000 fine.
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Subsequent offenses: Suspension of the head coach and possible penalties for involved staff or student-athletes.
As determined by the National Coordinator, the action by the player, especially with the concurrent action by the coach in the team area, was a clear attempt to gain an unmerited advantage by stopping the game to be awarded an injury time out. The action violated the spirit of the injury timeout and fair play, and was conducted in a manner that appeared to attempt to circumvent the NCAA’s injury timeout rule to avoid the team being charged a timeout.
The SEC emphasized that any further findings of similar conduct by Texas A&M or other programs will result in additional fines and potential suspensions for those involved.
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