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Mon Oct 20, 2008 9:59 am EDT

Welcome to the SEC, Stephen Garcia! Signed, your local umpire

By Matt Hinton

As if Stephen Garcia didn't have enough obstacles in his life -- keeping his pants on while being chased by police, dodging determined beers until his 21st birthday, controlling fire extinguishers with a mind of their own -- now he discovers in his first career start that, in South Carolina, the refs are unnecessarily rough with you:

I'm not sure what's going on here, and certainly not about to take liberties with the ethical reputation of officials in the SEC, the league that gave us the arbiter named "Penn Wagers." But assuming a disgruntled umpire is destined to take out a stunned ballcarrier somewhere, is it really a surprise it happened during a game featuring one team from Louisiana and another whose mascot is inspired by an illegal bloodsport? In fact, if you take a regular Saturday night in Columbia, then add the State Fair and several thousand victorious Cajuns in town, a ref thumping Stephen Garcia was probaby among the more mundane events of the evening.

The Wiz has a couple illuminating screenshots. It's great form, really. Chris Spielman would be proud.

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4172 Comments

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  1. Benjamin
    1. Posted by Benjamin Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:05 pm EDT

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    That's not really that great of form. He did a good job of keeping his head up, but he didn't wrap up after he hit and he didn't really drive through the man. Just because you can take one guy down with a shoulder shot doesn't mean you can do it to all of them. What if he has to ref a game with PJ Hill later in the year?
  2. Nathan B
    2. Posted by Nathan B Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:34 pm EDT

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    You know, I really didn't notice how blatant it was until watching the video. I watched the game and it looked like he was just in the way (which likely is the case, of course). But, boy, this sure makes it look like he took aim at him and then something just clicked in his brain that said "MAKE THE TACKLE!". Assuming SEC officials have brains, of course.
  3. stjohn403
    3. Posted by stjohn403 Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:45 pm EDT

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    If i had a mishap like that work i woulndt have a job
  4. Danny A
    4. Posted by Danny A Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:53 pm EDT

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    How is this guy NOT FIRED? Why is it NOT all over the news....like the mistake that Ed Hokule made during the Denver game? The big difference here ....this was INTENTIONAL! This guy should never ref another game period!!
  5. dario r
    5. Posted by dario r Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:48 pm EDT

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    If you watch the video, notice that the ref appears to be stalking Garcia when he's coming around and then pounces for the tackles. I hope this ref is either reprimanded or not officiating by next Saturday!
  6. football is a sport
    6. Posted by football is a sport Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:35 pm EDT

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    This is the funniest thing I've seen in football in a long time. The fact that it's not more in the news makes me wonder how real it is, but on some of message board's I've been to people are saying it is real. I know some people are upset about it, but it's seriously one of the funniest things I've ever seen. I keep watching it over and over and saying, "No way, he did not just do that!"
  7. Chris
    7. Posted by Chris Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:32 pm EDT

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    South Carolina has been complaining about SEC refs for years. If you want proof that we're not JUST paranoid. Please see exhibit A above.
  8. Travis
    8. Posted by Travis Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:59 pm EDT

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    I agree, how is this not BIG NEWS! This has got to be investigated. This is an outrage!
  9. Kevin
    9. Posted by Kevin Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:38 pm EDT

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    Maybe the ref got a little TOOO into the game? Maybe the QB questioned his eye-sight and then the ref told the OLB "Sit this one out buddy, I got it." *starts choppin his feet.
  10. bama fan
    10. Posted by bama fan Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:45 pm EDT

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    Being a retired official...If this is fact...This umpire is way out of position...usually umpires works from tackle to tackle and the lead official picks up the TE and WR...If this really happen then where is ESPN blogs and why isn't Spurrier crying as he normally would? Hard to believe this tape is true. Need more evidence!!!!!
  11. bcjg
    11. Posted by bcjg Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:34 pm EDT

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    Has any reporter even question the SEC head of officials? It seems blatant enough that they would have to address it if asked about it.
  12. afootballfan
    12. Posted by afootballfan Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:01 pm EDT

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    Watch this video and its all the evidence you need.
  13. afootballfan
    13. Posted by afootballfan Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:01 pm EDT

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    http://nz.youtube.com/watch?v=V3Z-kAmbZCc
  14. Spiegs
    14. Posted by Spiegs Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:36 pm EDT

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    Looks like something in a Buffalo Wild Wings commercial....
  15. Jen
    15. Posted by Jen Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:32 pm EDT

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    What the heck? haha!
    Hook em Horns!
  16. bill Schafer
    16. Posted by bill Schafer Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:38 pm EDT

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    wow. fire that chump
  17. bill Schafer
    17. Posted by bill Schafer Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:38 pm EDT

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    wow. fire that chump
  18. Greg L
    18. Posted by Greg L Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:10 pm EDT

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    Fake!!!!
  19. Sean M
    19. Posted by Sean M Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:30 pm EDT

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    maybe he went to the ed hoculi shcool of officiating.
  20. Greg L
    20. Posted by Greg L Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:10 pm EDT

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    Fake
  21. the truth
    21. Posted by the truth Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:48 pm EDT

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    nice shoulder bump lol
  22. I was there
    22. Posted by I was there Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:31 pm EDT

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    Go to ESPN 360 and watch the replay of the game. Fast foward to just before halftime. It's pretty clear the video is not a fake.
  23. boomerorourke
    23. Posted by boomerorourke Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:11 pm EDT

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    i would love to see an NFL ref do that in a game and see what happens to him.
  24. Crowe
    24. Posted by Crowe Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:31 pm EDT

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    To bama fan: I watched this game from start to finish.. It is very true..all the evidence you need is in the video above. SC did score 2 or 3 plays after this...although it was a controversial call on the TD.. It could have been the Ref's paying SC back for the bone head play this "ref" made because in my opinion, and yes I am a South Carolina fan, it did not look like Mike Davis scored.
  25. chakes89
    25. Posted by chakes89 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:21 pm EDT

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    This is fake

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