APThe office of the Southeastern Conference has struck again.
A week ago, the SEC suspended freshman defensive back Trae Elston for one game for a hit it described as “flagrant and dangerous.” A week later, those same words were used by the conference in laying down punitive action against a South Carolina Gamecock.
In a release, the SEC announced that defensive back D.J. Swearinger has been suspended for this weekend’s game against Missouri. The one-game suspension was the result of a hit Swearinger put on a UAB in this past Saturday’s game.
“These rules are for the protection of the health and safety of our players on both sides of the ball,” said SEC commissioner Mike Slive in a statement. “It is imperative that our student-athletes understand the importance of this rule. Our motivation in making these decisions is to protect our student-athletes.”
According to Josh Kendall of The State, Swearinger had posted a video clip of the hit on his Twitter feed a half hour before the SEC announced its decision. The video has subsequently been removed from the player’s Twitter feed, but you can click HERE to view the hit on YouTube.
Here’s the SEC’s explanation of the suspension:
This action is the result of a flagrant and dangerous act which occurred at the 5:46 mark in the third quarter. The action is in violation of Rule 9-1-4 of the NCAA Football Rule Book, which reads, “No player shall target and initiate contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless opponent with the helmet, forearm, elbow or shoulder.”
By playing rule, a defenseless opponent is defined by “one who because his physical position and focus of concentration is especially vulnerable to injury.” One of the examples in the rule book is a receiver whose focus is on catching a pass.
A flag was actually thrown on Swearinger’s hit, while Elston’s didn’t merit the attention of the game officials.
The loss, especially for a conference game within the division, is a significant one. Swearinger has started all three games this season after starting all 13 in 2011. The senior has intercepted one pass this season and broken up three others, and has also scored on a fumble return for a touchdown.
Jared Shaw is listed as Swearinger’s backup at free safety on the latest Gamecocks depth chart.
I didn’t read the article so somebody will have to fill me in on what happened here: did he get an “A” on a test? Have an attendence rate of more than 50% for the first month of classes?
I can’t imagine anything more dangerous than that happening in the SEC.
Pretty obvious cheap shot. Lined him up, aimed high, got the hit he wanted. Then he compounds the problem by strutting around like he’s some kind of stud. Heck, I’m 58, and if a guy is T–H–A–T exposed, even I could hurt him. There’s no place in the game for idiot plays like the one Swearinger made. Grab some bench, chump.
The only thing more moronic than Swearinger’s actions is the post by “bw1980″. “I can’t imagine anything more dangerous than that happening in the SEC.” Keep hating, sucker. Count ‘em: SIX national championships in a row. And ‘Bama will make it seven in a row after this season. Hope your Pop Warner team is doing well though…
…you know the SEC is dominant when posters like bw1980 make such pathetic attempts to flame. Care to disclose your team and conference to make this really fun?
Let’s be honest…the SEC is full of thugs that are always getting in trouble. Some examples:
Stephen Garcia – South Carolina
D.J. Swearinger- South Carolina
Alshon Jeffrey- South Carolina
Isaiah Crowell- UGA (I believe they have 4 more under suspension this year)
Tyler Bray- Tennessee
Jordan Jefferson- LSU
Tyrann Mathieu- LSU
Percy Harvin- Florida
Nick Fairley- Auburn
These are just a few off the top of my head. I’m sure I could find a lot more with research.
The coaches are just as bad. Nick Saban suspended one player a couple years ago and pulled it back because his team was losing.
Miami. SMU. Penn State. University of Southern California. Ohio State.
Proud non-members of the SEC.
That he was celebrating such a blatant cheap shot is revolting. I’ll pile on the SEC for when they do things wrong, but they absolutely got this one right. Well done, SEC.
Fire Mike Slive!
Not arguing that hit, but this one game suspension crap has got to go.
Clemsonstillsucks: Every single team you listed has their share of jailbirds and some of their offenses are far more serious than anything in the SEC!
Thanks Blasterpastor. I could have come up with more but I was at a red light – LOL.
These guys need to start accepting the fact that when their teams lose games it’s their fault, not someone else’s.
@blasterpastor I think that was his point.
2 games or more imo.