Kentucky versus LSU in 2007, Kentucky versus Florida in 2021. What do both of those games have in common? Fans stormed the field after two big wins, with Kentucky beating LSU who was the No. 1 team in the country in 2007, and then in 2021, Kentucky beat Florida for the first time since 1986 at home.
But now, the SEC is thinking to give out harsher penalties to teams if their fans storm the field, increasing the penalties from monetary fines to something that could affect the team on the field.
According to Pat Forde of Sports Illustrated, the SEC is looking at two potential punishments. One of the two punishments that the SEC is considering is the home team would lose their next home game in the series. For example, when Kentucky stormed the field against Florida in 2021, Kentucky then would have to play at Florida from the 2022 to 2024 season, so Kentucky would have to play at The Swamp for three years in a row.
The other rule that the SEC is considering is forfeiting the game that had been won during the field storming incident. From the reports, this second punishment does not seem likely, but a rule that the SEC will consider during SEC spring meetings.
The meetings will take place as all SEC athletic directors are expected to be present when they roll out some proposals for penalties against field storming. After the meetings take place, it will go to the presidents and chancellors at SEC spring meetings in Destin, which take place from May 30-June 2.
One reason why the SEC is considering stricter penalties on fans storming the field is to better protect both players and fans. During the Tennessee versus Alabama game, Alabama’s Jermaine Burton allegedly struck a Tennessee fan while fans stormed the field.
Obviously, no ruling has been made, but rushing the field is a college football tradition that is synonymous with big wins and have been for nearly 150 years. If the SEC does implement stricter penalties for field storming, teams will have to implement new rules and policies to make sure fans will not storm the field in the future.
Once a decision has been made, KY Insider will keep you all up to date.
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