SEC permanently suspends longtime referee

[sclawman77]

Ken Williamson over calls in Auburn-UGA game.

Longtime college football ref ‘permanently suspended’ after momentum-turning call during Auburn-Georgia game

A veteran college football referee has been “permanently suspended” from officiating games after making a series of controversial calls — one of which turned the momentum of a fie…

nypost.com

 

[Forkcock]

I'm convinced that some SEC refs are biased or have money on the game.

 

[Piscis]

I'm convinced that some SEC refs are biased or have money on the game.

I think it is simply incompetence.

 

[Lurker123]

The first call they mention is the TD/fumble for Auburn. Wasn't that reviewed by replay?

If so, does that absolve his crew from the "mistake" if replay agreed?

 

[Piscis]

The first call they mention is the TD/fumble for Auburn. Wasn't that reviewed by replay?

If so, does that absolve his crew from the "mistake" if replay agreed?

I think that play was reviewed for a long, long time. I guess he is the scapegoat for an entire crew.

 

[PrestonyteParrot]

While this is a developing situation, former NFL/NCAA ref and current rules analyst for NBC Terry McAulay gave his thoughts on the reported situation on X. McAulay expressed that if the report is in fact accurate about Williamson’s suspension being because of one game, it is not fair.

“*If* this is solely based on that one game, then shame on everyone involved,” McAulay wrote. “It’s yet another reason why Conferences should not oversee officiating and will forever be a dark stain on college football.”

Veteran SEC Official Permanently Suspended by Conference, per Report - Athlon Sports

 

[Builderman]

Remember when one tackled Garcia at 3 yard line to prevent us from beating L S U?

 

[sclawman77]

11 complaints in a game results in a ref suspension.

When we have multiple complaints about reffing in an SEC game though (LSU last year-phantom offensive PI/questionable blindside hit on qb), we have to bend over and accept it as is.

 

[sclawman77]

Remember when one tackled Garcia at 3 yard line to prevent us from beating L S U?

'08. I was there. Classic

 

[Lurker123]

I think that CFN makes enough money to have an independent referree pool, paid by all conferences, so there is simply one referee entity. And not one for each conference.

 

[Go Gamecocks]

I think it is simply incompetence.

Probably....the guy has been an official for 41 yrs. Looks like it's time to move on.

 

[Gradstudent]

Glad he is gone, I hope the SEC keeps this up.

Of course if the guy goes to another conf and does a bowl game or out of conf game with a SEC team in it, watch out, we thought it was bad when he was in the SEC, LOL.

 

[Rhode Island Dork]

Until Jason Autrey is tried & sentenced to hard time, I'll not be satisfied. Cost us a SEC Championship game appearance & playoff spot.

 

[Gradstudent]

Until Jason Autrey is tried & sentenced to hard time, I'll not be satisfied. Cost us a SEC Championship game appearance & playoff spot.

Autrey should be next, hopefully

 

[HI Cock1]

Let's just have everything called from the booth and be done with it. Four, maybe five guys on the field to keep the game safe, but then all penalties can be called from watching the video. 6-8 officials watching each play and then buzzing the head field ref when there's a penalty. With replay already such a big part of the game, why still call plays on the field? Makes no sense.

 

[Piscis]

Let's just have everything called from the booth and be done with it. Four, maybe five guys on the field to keep the game safe, but then all penalties can be called from watching the video. 6-8 officials watching each play and then buzzing the head field ref when there's a penalty. With replay already such a big part of the game, why still call plays on the field? Makes no sense.

I say go in the other direction. Replays are making games almost unwatchable now. Give each coach 2 challenges per half with no penalty if a play call is upheld. Stopping the game for every sideline catch, catch near the ground, fumble, goal line td, targeting call or ball spot is asinine and ruins the flow of the game and makes games last forever. That UGA/Auburn game kicked off at 7:45 and ended at around 11:45, 4 hours to play a football game. The last two minutes of the first half took 32 minutes to play, all because of incessant stoppages for reviews. I remember games before tv took 2 1/2 hours to play from kickoff to final whistle. If a coach thinks the refs missed the call, he should be able to challenge the call. Otherwise, play the game.

 

[Rhode Island Dork]

I say go in the other direction. Replays are making games almost unwatchable now. Give each coach 2 challenges per half with no penalty if a play call is upheld. Stopping the game for every sideline catch, catch near the ground, fumble, goal line td, targeting call or ball spot is asinine and ruins the flow of the game and makes games last forever. That UGA/Auburn game kicked off at 7:45 and ended at around 11:45, 4 hours to play a football game. The last two minutes of the first half took 32 minutes to play, all because of incessant stoppages for reviews. I remember games before tv took 2 1/2 hours to play from kickoff to final whistle. If a coach thinks the refs missed the call, he should be able to challenge the call. Otherwise, play the game.

The NFL replay system, just like their officiating, is VASTLY superior.

 

[Mr. Belvedere]

I think it is simply incompetence.

I wouldn't be too quick to chalk that up.. too many instances of refs in other major sports being caught up in betting. Google it.

 

[18IsTheMan]

Lots of folks upset about this. I guess for SEC fans it feel justified because officiating overall has been terrible. Maybe he's an unfair scapegoat though.

 

[USCEE82]

Wasn't that the game where Kirby called a timeout and then claimed he was just clapping and the ref gave him his timeout back but he successfully stopped the game clock?

 

[Go Gamecocks]

Lots of folks upset about this. I guess for SEC fans it feel justified because officiating overall has been terrible. Maybe he's an unfair scapegoat though.

Ever consider the guy might be experiencing some age related neurological impairments? He's been a ref for 41 yrs. Might explain the long term suspension.