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Longtime NFL Referee Calling for Georgia Punishment During Sugar Bowl

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Andrew McCarty | Last updated Jan 2, 2025 5:59 PM ET

Longtime NFL official Terry McAulay isn't too pleased with the outfit from a Georgia player during the Sugar Bowl against Notre Dame.

During a kickoff, return man Anthony Evans III was deep for the Bulldogs. Cameras focused on Evans before the kick and picked up his curious outfit, with his pants failing to cover his knees - which is no longer an enforced rule in college football.

Evans took things a step further, though, by hiking his pants all the way up to his mid-thigh. McAulay took the outfit from Evans as a slap in the face to officials and called out the higher ups in college football.

"It tells us much about the current leadership of College Football that a player is allowed to so flagrantly violate uniform rules in a CFP game," McAulay said on social media.

It tells us much about the current leadership of College Football that a player is allowed to so flagrantly violate uniform rules in a CFP game. pic.twitter.com/RsPKQ64JX5
— Terry McAulay (@tjmcaulay) January 2, 2025

A fan later asked how he'd police such a thing.

"Do you have any potential solution? Obviously there’s no centralized authority to fine players like in the NFL, and I don’t think we are gonna suspend guys for their pants, so what’s the best option?" the fan asked.

McAulay suggested he believes Kirby Smart and Georgia should be fined and added that in the era of NIL perhaps the player should be fined as well.

"I've said for years Conferences need to fine coaches and schools. But now, in the current world of NIL, player fines may be workable," McAulay added.

As for the actual game, Notre Dame holds a 13-3 lead at halftime thanks to a late turnover and touchdown in the second quarter.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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