SEC Fines Tennessee $250k After Fans Litter Field With Debris During Ole Miss Game

The SEC acted quickly following the end of game delay caused by fans throwing debris on the field during the Ole Miss vs Tennessee game Saturday night in Knoxville, Tennessee.  

On Monday, the SEC announced that The University of Tennessee will be fined $250,000, “which will be deducted from the University’s share of SEC revenue distribution.” The SEC has also tasked the university with using all available resources to “identify individuals who threw objects on to the playing field or at the opposing team.” Those that are found to have participated in the trashing of the field will not be allowed to attend Tennessee athletic events for the remainder of the 2021-2022 school year. 

“The disruption of Saturday night’s game is unacceptable and cannot be repeated on any SEC campus,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. “Today’s actions are consistent with the oversight assigned by the membership to the SEC office, including the financial penalty and review of alcohol availability. We will use this opportunity to reemphasize to each SEC member the importance of providing a safe environment even with the intensity of competition that occurs every week. We will also reengage our membership in further review of the alcohol availability policy to consider additional measures for the sale and management of alcohol while providing the appropriate environment for collegiate competition.”

On Saturday night at Neyland Stadium, a small number of fans began throwing debris onto the Ole Miss side of the field after a video review did not go the Vols way. 

With 54 seconds left in the game and Ole Miss up 31-26, Tennessee tight end Jacob Warren was ruled short of the first down marker on a fourth and 24 play, handing the ball back to Ole Miss with an opportunity to ice the game. Officials went to the replay monitor to check the mark and ruled that the call on the field would stand. 

Fans began pelting the Ole Miss side of the field with debris. Water bottles, beer cans, and even a container of mustard were thrown toward the field, causing a 20-minute delay to the game as security attempted to get everything under control. 

The Tennessee cheerleaders were forced to run for cover and Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin was hit with a golf ball. 

Lane Kiffin got hit by a golf ball from the stands in Knoxvillepic.twitter.com/ZrNyqCPCRh

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) October 17, 2021

It was an emotionally charged game from kickoff,

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