The SEC’s Double Standard for Suspending Players

Jul 14, 2014; Hoover, AL, USA; SEC commissioner Mike Slive talks to the media during the SEC Football Media Days at the Wynfrey Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

As everyone knows by now, the SEC suspended MSU Center Dillon Day for landing/stepping/stomping (or whatever terminology you want to use) on two LSU players. The SEC’s suspensions have been as inconsistent as the NCAA trying to dole out punishments for rule violations. It’s pathetic. Is Mississippi State being treated unfairly because we aren’t a ‘traditional power’?

Here’s what Dan Mullen had to say about Day’s suspension:

"I didn’t see anything wrong with it. We completely disagree with the ruling that was given to us by the league, but we are going to follow the commissioner’s decision."

Most MSU fans have stood behind Dillon Day’s actions as unintentional. People outside the MSU community have not been as forgiving. While many Ole Miss fans were quick to call Day a dirty player after the incident, some sympathized with MSU over what seems to be a double standard by the SEC against smaller schools. In 2012, Ole Miss defensive back Trae Elston was suspended one game for what looked like a pretty clean hit:

It’s debatable – just like the Dillon Day case. A lot more debatable than the following actions….

Exhibit A: 2012 SEC Championship Game: Quienten Dial takes a terrible cheap shot on Aaron Murray. One that could have caused serious head trauma. No suspension. Instead the league ruled the two schools would handle it internally.  Not surprising that Alabama’s next game was for the BCS Title vs. Notre Dame.

 Exhibit B: Alabama’s Christion Jones nearly wipes Brandon Holloway off this earth. He CLEARLY used his helmet to deliver the blow, launching himself into Holloway who was COMPLETELY defenseless having caught the ball a fraction of a second before the hit. Jones had no intention of slowing down as evidence by him looking around to see if a flag was thrown. No suspension. Not surprising that Alabama was undefeated at the time and closing in on a potential three-peat as national champions.

Exhibit C: How about perhaps the dirtiest player in the SEC the last 10 years – Nick Fairley. Constantly making late hits and cheap shots. This video recap of his hits against Georgia in 2010 was nothing short of horrific. No suspension. Not surprising that Auburn was undefeated and headed towards a national championship.

1. drives Aaron Murray into the ground
2. went low on Murray
3. speared Aaron Murray
4. started a brawl

Exhibit D: We’ll just use this entire one against LSU since Les Miles is the one who got his panties in a bunch about Dillon Day.

Defensive Back Jalen Mills does not miss a game after a his battery charge was reduced to a misdemeanor. 

If you want to sign a petition to the SEC about Dillon’s suspension, you can do so here.