Posted on 10/20/2008 4:02:30 PM PDT by BenLurkin
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:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcdWdBgUBqw
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.
(Excerpt) Read more at rivals.yahoo.com ...
The video is unaltered. Millions saw it as it happened live. The official lowered his shoulder and targeted the player, and I don’t see ANY other way to interpret it. Looks like a dang Bud Light commercial.
MM
I saw the game live. That film wasnt doctored at all. I think it was a defensive reaction by the ref figuring he was going to get clobbered.
BTW, I’ve been certain on countless occasions that some teams (in particular Bama and LSwho) benefit from some home-cookin’ kind of officiating, but I wouldn’t have expected this one even from a Tiger.
As an aside, look for Texas and Bama in the NC game this year. Been saying it for several weeks now but this is the first time I’ve recorded it on FR.
MM
I won’t download the file because it would take forever on my dial-up modem, but I saw the game. Also saw a replay on ESPN. It sure does look intentional but then again you can’t be certain.
I thought refs were supposed to stay out of the way?
I’m a lifelong Gamecock. I watch every game. The ref used to be a linebacker at Kentucky. He actually slid over into the hole and gave Garcia a good chuck. I think he was having a flashback. He was pissed because we whipped is AM last weekend. LOL.
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