Saturday night’s clash at Williams-Brice Stadium delivered plenty of drama — but one moment sparked outrage well beyond the field. After scoring a touchdown, Kentucky sophomore running back Seth McGowan launched the football into the stands, striking a South Carolina fan in a wheelchair. The fan required medical attention, and videos of the incident quickly went viral.
“Like is this serious? Horrendous,” posted Barstool Gamecocks alongside a clip of the play.
Despite the severity of the situation, no penalty was called. Officials seemingly ignored the throw, a decision that only amplified frustration among fans.
“Mf just hit a fan with the ball and went unpenalized???” another Barstool Gamecocks post read.
Reporters at the stadium noted that medical staff and police rushed to assist the fan following the hit.
“Medical team and police on the scene of the fan that for hit by the football thrown into the stands by a Kentucky player. The fan is in a wheelchair. No flag on that though,” wrote Lauren Beasley on X.
The incident has raised uncomfortable questions about sportsmanship and officiating in college football. What might have been a routine celebration turned into a flashpoint of controversy, with critics pointing to both McGowan’s actions and the referees’ lack of response.
Instead of a highlight, the play has become a “needless sideshow,” leaving fans and analysts wondering whether the SEC will step in for further review. As one of the most bizarre non-calls of the season, the moment is likely to overshadow Kentucky’s on-field performance and linger as a stain on an already heated SEC rivalry.
