Legendary Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow has voiced concern about a rising issue in college football: players faking injuries to slow down play.
Tebow, who led the Gators to two national championships and earned the prestigious Heisman Trophy, says this trend threatens the essence of the game.
Tebow recently shared his thoughts on the SEC Network, drawing a comparison to soccer, where players frequently go down on minimal contact and often times fake injuries.
While Tebow appreciates soccer as a global phenomenon, he doesn’t want to see football following that path and resembling the type of softness that’s associated with soccer.
“I’m a soccer fan. I love that we’re bringing teams here to Jacksonville. I think soccer is a great sport. But we don’t want to turn football into soccer,” Tebow said.
“There is a difference. I don’t think that we should just be tapped and ‘Oh my gosh, I’m gonna go fall down.’ No, no, no. That works in another sport and it’s the biggest sport in the world.
“But we’re celebrating college football right now. Both are amazing. Let’s keep football as football and let’s not do that.”
According to Tebow, fake injuries risk damaging the fast-paced style of football that fans enjoy, especially when they result in unnecessary play stoppages.
The issue has become particularly noticeable in the SEC, where high-octane offenses thrive on speed and rhythm.
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey recently issued a memo addressing the issue, stating firmly, “As plainly as it can be stated: Stop any and all activity related to faking injuries to create time-outs. Play football and stop the feigned injury nonsense.”
(There’s a reason why Sankey is regarded as the best commissioner in college football.)
Sankey also announced that moving forward, coaches could face fines up to $50,000 for first-time offenses related to fake injuries.
With growing scrutiny on the tactic, Tebow and SEC officials alike hope these measures will preserve the integrity and intensity of college football.
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