Aggies get SEC’s first $50K fine for faking injury

Texas A&M became the first SEC football program to receive a $50,000 fine from the conference Tuesday for violating its policy on players faking injuries in games.

Texas A&M was found in violation of the NCAA playing rules governing feigning injuries for a play in the fourth quarter of the Aggies’ 45-42 win at Arkansas on Saturday, in which defensive back Tyreek Chappell sat down on the field to stop play after the ball had already been spotted.

Steve Shaw, the national coordinator of football officials, reviewed video submitted by the SEC of the situation, which occurred with 12:36 remaining and Texas A&M leading 38-27. Before Chappell went down, a Texas A&M staff member can be seen on video standing near the 25-yard line signaling to Chappell and pointing to the ground.

attempted to crack down on feigned injuries last November in a memo to his athletic directors and head coaches, ordering them to «stop any and all activity related to faking injuries to create timeouts» and calling the practice «disrespectful to the game of football.»

The conference’s policy on feigning injuries was first established in 2022.

Last month, the ACC issued a $25,000 fine and a public reprimand to Syracuse for faking an injury during its 34-21 win over Clemson.