70° M/CLOUDY, SEC reviewing Meyer's comments on late hit
Last Modified: Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at 1:51 p.m.
SEC commissioner Mike Slive is reviewing comments made by Florida coach Urban Meyer on the SEC conference call Wednesday and will rule later this week whether there will be any action taken because of those comments, a league official said.
Meyer sent video of a perceived unnecessary hit on Tim Tebow delivered by Georgia's Nick Williams in Saturday's game against the Bulldogs to the league office for review. The play was one of several that Meyer and his staff felt the league needed to look at.
Contacted by The Sun early Wednesday, SEC associate commissioner Charles Bloom said in an e-mail, "We did look at it and sent Florida back a review on the play. That's all I can comment on."
The Sun then asked Meyer on the weekly teleconference what he thought of the play and how the league had responded.
"I'm not sure I can share that. I don't want to step out of line on that," Meyer said. "It should have been a penalty, in my opinion. You’ve got to protect quarterbacks. That’s the whole purpose. It’s right in front of the referee.”
Does that qualify as criticizing the officials?
The SEC office announced last week that it had strengthened the penalties handed out to coaches who publicly criticize officials. The league’s 12 athletic directors unanimously voted to hand out suspensions and fines to any coach who violates SEC Bylaw 10.5.4. The length of the suspension and amount of the fine is solely up to Slive's discretion.
In a text message later in the day, Bloom said the commissioner was out of town but was aware of the comments and was "reviewing them." Any decision on whether Meyer will face any discipline will be made later this week, Bloom said.
On the first-quarter play, Tebow handed the ball to running back Jeff Demps, then slowly walked to his right while watching the play. Williams hit Tebow squarely in the chest dropping the Florida quarterback, who suffered a concussion earlier this season, to the ground.
Florida fans have circulated the YouTube video of the play as almost a counter-attack to the play for which linebacker Brandon Spikes was suspended for half of the Vanderbilt game by Meyer. Spikes decided Wednesday to sit out the entire game to avoid being a distraction to teammates.
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Comments
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November 4, 2009 2:12:47 pm
RE: Link
Sounds like UM criticized the refs by not calling the late hit on Tebow. Is Mike Slive going to make an example of him?
November 4, 2009 2:15:38 pm
ummmmm....
see page 71
November 4, 2009 2:20:24 pm
He should have sent it in. It was a missed call.
November 4, 2009 2:20:25 pm
So Meyer challenges Slive's new rule in week 1.
It's probably OK since he started his public criticism of the officials by saying, "with all due respect"
espn link
November 4, 2009 2:27:32 pm
I think I've become unhinged. I did something that I never do, but I sent an e-mail to Chris Low who reported this and hinted that he wouldn't be surprised with a fine or suspension for Meyer, all because he criticized the refs.
Thank God for yabba, because at least he's unbiased and fair. It makes me think not all rivals are out for blood.
Here's my e-mail...I know he'll probably never read it, but I just got so mad...
-----You're ridiculous. Your anti-gator bias is so obvious. You and Espn are making a mockery out of journalism. Why don't you go pick on someone else, because this obsession with UF makes you look like a sensationalist as opposed to a journalist. Urban wasn't directly critical, he was pointing out an obvious personal foul in light of YOU and your stupid network's obsession with Spikes. By the way, Mike Golic bragged to USA Today in 2006 about choking a player in a pileup. And then he goes, per ESPN's agenda, on the radio and calls Spikes a thug and Urban by extension. I've never written to complain before, but ESPN's agenda and hypocrisy has never been more evident. Check out your colleague's comments.... Link
You're a joke and a jerk. Judging by your neckline, you might want to check out organized sports, it could do you some good.
November 4, 2009 2:36:16 pm
Good, if UgAy wants to argue about Spikes than let's do the same, point out the obvious cheap shot when the play was clearly over.
November 4, 2009 2:49:24 pm
This is potentially a big problem, Slive issued a statement that the next coach who speaks out publicly will be penalized.Did Urban say make these comments just to get the heat off Spikes? Slive is traveling today, we may hear about a reprimand tomorrow.
November 4, 2009 3:00:18 pm
I don't really see where UM publically criticized the officials.......
If you have an issue with something in the game then you have an obligation to notify the league in order to correct the problem.All he said was he thought the play warranted a flag in his opinion.
November 4, 2009 3:05:54 pm
I tend to agree, but that doesn't mean the conference won't see it differently and make an example out of UM.
November 4, 2009 3:06:29 pm
Yeah, he didn't break the rule, he submitted to the SEC for review of the play. That's what you're SUPPOSED to do when you have a complaint.
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