We all remember the devastating hit that South Carolina Gamecocks star defensive end Jadeveon Clowney laid on Michigan running back Vincent Smith in the 2013 Outback Bowl. It is a play that was continuously played for the following weeks and it is a hit that will forever be a part of Clowney’s legacy.
While it was a great moment and play by the dominating defensive star, the new NCAA automatic ejections rule would have resulted in booting Clowney from the game, according to officials.
ACC officiating supervisor just casually mentioned he would've ejected Clowney for Michigan hit, which was actually a clean hit. Good lord.
— Heath Cline (@heathradio) July 22, 2013
Let’s just hope that officials in other conferences have a little more common sense.
The new rule calls for ejections whenever a player targets the head of another individual. While Vincent Smith’s helmet flew off during the hit, Clowney was in no way trying to target the head. He is a 6-foot-6 grown ass man that was trying to get low enough and he laid the hit of the year.
Ejecting Clowney for that play would have been a disservice to him as a player and to South Carolina, because Michigan would have gotten the ball back because their line was unable to block Clowney. That doesn’t seem fair to anyone.
Here is the Clowney hit one more time:
Does that look like he was targeting the head? Should that result in a suspension?
Let’s hope not and that the new rule will not end up costing teams and players some of the biggest moments and plays of the year.