Florida coach Urban Meyer fined $30,000 by SEC

Florida coach Urban Meyer has been fined $30,000 by the SEC for his public comments concerning the officiating of a play in the Georgia game, SEC Commissioner Mike Slive announced today.

Meyer is the first coach to be fined under the new standards implemented last week that increased penalties for coaches who violate the rule against publicly criticizing officials to possible suspensions or fines.

"As I stated last week, I have great respect for Commissioner Mike Slive and the Southeastern Conference and I respect this decision,'' Meyer said Friday afternoon in a statement. "There was no intent to criticize an official after being asked about a situation that occurred last Saturday, and I apologize for my remarks.''

During this past Wednesday's SEC coaches teleconference, Meyer was asked if he had sent to the league office for review a copy of a play in which Georgia's Nick Williams hit Florida quarterback Tim Tebow several seconds after he had handed off the ball. He was also asked if he had received a response of his inquiry from the SEC director of officials.

Meyer responded: "I'm not sure I'm allowed to give you that, what they said. I don't want to step out of line. Once again, I've always had great confidence in (SEC). That should have been a penalty in my opinion. Obviously it should have been. You've got to  protect quarterbacks. That's the whole purpose. It's right in front of the referee. But once again, I have great - I'm not sure how they're going to handle that, but we do send it in and that was one of the plays we did send in.''

In a statement on Friday, Slive said: "Coach Meyer has violated the Southeastern Conference Code of Ethics. SEC Bylaw 10.5.4 clearly states that the coaches, players and support personnel shall refrain from public criticism of officials. The league's Athletics Directors and Presidents and Chancellors have made it clear that negative public comments on officiating are not acceptable.''

[AP photo]

 

   

Comments

[D]

Not Shocked! Would love to have seen Meyer's reaction if he was in Petrino's shoes after the Arkansas Game. Everyone in America knows the bogus calls made by the Ref propelled the Gator's victory. Without those bad calls there is a big "L" on your perfect record.

[jesse]

Its about time the did something with the Gators and Urban Cryer. They should have done something with the Arkansas game that was a travesty. Still can't believe he called out a player on another team for hitting Teblow how petty.

[Sue]

Poor Gators, Urban is out of control and the Univ of Felons should step in.

[Bill]

This gator team will be remembered for being helped by officials and for embarrassing the Univ. of Felons.

[david]

Poor jesse, sue, bill and all you other haters. your jealously is eating you alive. there are about 3 teams in the country, or fewer, that would not love to have meyer as their coach. you all keep your thousand-year-old coach, the gators will continue to enjoy unparalleled success. one other thing: 8-0.

[jesse]

hey David, enjoy tebag for his final 4 games and then Univ of Felons suck again.

[30k - keep you mouth SHUT]

Lol - that is awesome - UF just can't abide by the rules.

STOP VIOLATING THE RULES, LAWS, EYE GOUGING - ECT.... 29 ARRESTS.........

[Uni of Felonies and Fines]

all over the news - arrests, eye pokes, head coach fines -

LEAD BY EXAMPLE? WHAT A JERK!!!!!!

[Jesse]

Univ of Felons are finally being seen for what they are. Urban is a big baby. They tackled tebag too hard.

[Kay]

How funny, SHUT UP GATORS, YOUR FELONS

[david]

jesse, you're frothing at the mouth. you're a semi-hole, right? it's all clear now.

[polo]

mane yall shut up florida gators run da sec and have 4 da last 4 years stop hatin and get sum championships like us

[jesse]

Polo, take a kindergarten class or two, that isn't english.

[Bill]

If Urban Cryer has so much respect for the officials then why the comments? The refs have helped him win two or three games he wouldn't have won otherwise. UNIV OF FELONS

[shaniquintel]

Diz gaters are my boz, i be loven the dreads. go gaters! pok dem iz.

[jesse]

Hey Bill, should tebag get the heisman?

[Bill]

84th rated QB in the country, more interceptions than most, worse stats than last year, lower scoring by 15 points a game, playing an easier schedule, of course. All I know is it's his last award because he won't be playing anymore football with that loosy goosy arm motion.

[Uni of Felonies and Fines!]

MAN THIS IS FUN! ....UF just can't abide by the rules.

STOP VIOLATING THE RULES, LAWS, EYE GOUGING - ECT.... 29 ARRESTS.........

[sandra]

The 30k will be paid by the alumni. Pocket chg. I go to the UF. Im a sophomore and although I am a gator, I have to say, that was uncalled for by Urban. Again 30k is pocket chg. I just hope we can win against Vandy. Its FIU that scares me the most

And Jessie get a life. My boyfrieds, brother's Mother-in-law is a huge financial donator to UF and she says the booster club will take care of the fine. They have enough money to do what they want.

[Dewayne]

Gators schedual is eazy. They aint puttin up any numbers and the refs are gettin huge greenbacks by the boosters. Georgia, let the gators win that game. It was clear as day. They got paid off just like that girl said. Happens all the time. I bet Tebow get paid off two. HE aint fast like michael vick. And he try runnin like that in the nfl, which he wont play in because no one will draft him, man they will have to use a SPATCHEW-LA to scrape him off the field!!!!!

[artey]

Now this is how I see it and this IS how it IS. Gators are gettin huge network money just like notre dame did in the 80's. thats why the refs call the plays to help them. everybody wants to see drama. its a fix! After the gators loose a major upset to Vandy or more probably FIU, everyone will see the smoke clear away, and the gators will make to the porcupine bowl.

[AAHH MAN]

30K..there goes the chin implant

[Gatorfan]

artey:

Just curious....is the SKY blue in your world????

[Pablo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwz2M_w7E5w

[Pablo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4murbmcUQxw&feature=related