charlescurtis2003's Blog
  • 05:16 PM ET  10.30
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So, public reprimands weren't enough, huh? Now the SEC wants to fine, and possibly even suspend, coaches who criticize league officials. This after blatant blown calls in the Arkansas/Florida game, the Tennessee/Alabama game, and the Florida/Miss. St. game.

I understand it has become routine to penalize coaches or players for criticizing the officiating after tough losses. Sometimes, however, the criticism is warranted and leagues do themselves no favors by fining people who are essentially speaking their mind.  We are still allowed to do that in America, right? Hmm, guess not. Who needs the government taking our freedom of speech away when we're perfectly capable of doing it ourselves?

SEC commissioner Mike Slive already has no credibility, since he helps contribute to that great American cartel known as the BCS. And as for the so-called unanimous consent of university presidents in supporting this crackdown on coaches, I'll bet he didn't get any further than Florida and Alabama on the speed dial before coming up with that quote.

Sure, Lane Kiffin is immature, Bobby Petrino is a quitter and Dan Mullen is, well, a great young coach, but that doesn't make them wrong in what they say. Anytime you have to get this draconian and come down this hard, it's because there is really something to be worried about, and rather than let coaches have their say, the SEC apparently feels that it's better off becoming a banana republic.

Any time a league covers up for their officiating crews after such a terrible run, then silences the coaches in this manner who have the stones to call them out, that is when I would start looking for Washington to throw its weight around. That, and that little B(c) S thing.

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