LIVE REPORT: Shane Beamer Calls Out Fake Injuries in College Football—”A Bad Look for the Game”

South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer has once again spoken out about the growing issue of fake injuries in college football, calling it a tactic that undermines the integrity of the game. While he didn’t explicitly name a team, all signs point to Ole Miss, a program that faced accusations of faking injuries multiple times during the past season.

Beamer Takes a Stand

Speaking on the issue recently, Beamer made it clear that this problem directly impacted South Carolina in at least one game this season.

“It absolutely does (impact the game),” Beamer said via On3. “A team that we played this season—it’s amazing how many times they had an injury on defense after the opposing offense made a first down on an explosive play and had some momentum. There’s certainly something to that, and you have to be able to overcome it as a team.”

While he didn’t name the opponent, many believe he was referencing South Carolina’s 27-3 loss to Ole Miss, after which the Rebels were forced to issue a public statement addressing accusations of feigned injuries.

Ole Miss Responds to the Controversy

Following the backlash, Ole Miss released a statement acknowledging the controversy:

“Feigned injuries have become a notable topic in college football, and we realize our program has been part of that discussion,” the statement read. “We have been in communication with the National Coordinator for Football Officiating and provided relevant medical information for his review to answer questions about recent injuries. We have also updated the SEC office, and our head coach will communicate with our coaches and players to ensure we conduct ourselves properly and are compliant in this matter.”

The Rebels’ statement, while addressing concerns, did not outright deny the accusations—fueling further speculation about their tactics.

Why Fake Injuries Are a Growing Concern

Beamer acknowledged that punishing fake injuries is difficult because it’s not always clear whether a player is truly hurt or just stalling for time. However, he made it clear that teams are using this loophole as a strategy to their advantage.

“We’re not perfect, don’t get me wrong,” Beamer admitted. “But certainly, that is what some people are using it for—one, to slow momentum, or two, to catch their breath. If a team is going fast and they need a minute to catch their breath, it’s not what the sport was intended for.”

While it’s sometimes difficult to determine intent, there are moments where the deception is “blatantly obvious.”

“Embarrassing for the Sport”

Beamer didn’t hold back when describing just how damaging these tactics are to the sport.

“There’s no question that it’s a bad look for everyone involved,” he said. “Look, there were some absolutely embarrassing, blatant faking of injuries that we saw this season. And it’s not what’s best for the game. There’s no question about it. The teams don’t want to see it. The fans don’t want to see it.”

What’s Next? Will Rule Changes Follow?

With Beamer, Nick Saban, and other coaches voicing their frustrations, there is a growing push for rule changes to deter fake injuries. The SEC and NCAA Football Rules Committee are already reviewing potential penalties, including forcing injured players to sit out an entire possession unless a timeout is used.

For now, the debate continues, but one thing is clear—college football’s leaders are tired of the theatrics, and change may be on the horizon.