SEC hypocrisy on full display with Texas silence

"Coach Kiffin's statements...confirm the lack of institutional control over the athletics program at LSU that is required by Article 6 of the SEC Constitution," the complaint stated.

SEC's Texas silence highlights staggering hypocrisy

That brings us to Texas.

Following the team's 24-23 comeback win over then-Associated Press No. 1 Ohio State (1-1), head coach Steve Sarkisian's interaction with Rowe made headlines. As ESPN cut to the longtime ESPN reporter and Sarkisian on the field, the six-year Texas coach wouldn't let her ask a question and instead shouted, "Texas fight. Hook' em" over Rowe before walking away.

While not a great look, that could have been forgiven as a coach hyped about a rare win over an AP No. 1. But a noxious moment Monday made things far worse.

During a news conference, quarterback Arch Manning laughed heartily alongside media members while reminiscing about an artificial intelligence-altered clip of the Sarkisian-Rowe interaction featuring Sarkisian slapping Rowe before cartoonishly running away.

"I've seen a few AI edits," Manning said with a wide grin. Responding to an inaudible comment, Manning added, "Have y'all seen that one...That's a good one...Of him slapping Holly Rowe. That's hilarious."

"The laughter from all the men in the room...so, so gross," NBC Sports' Nicole Auerbach accurately assessed on social media.

Considering the SEC's stance on Kiffin's joke, then what exactly does Texas’s conduct over the past week suggest? Certainly not that anyone in the program has respect for Rowe, one of ESPN’s utmost professionals. 

What values are being promoted by Sarkisian in his locker room?

Will Sankey be as outraged that the star quarterback of a premier SEC program — and the No. 1 team in the country — feels comfortable making light of not just violence against women but violence against one of the SEC's exclusive media partner’s leading college football reporters?

If Sankey were truly concerned about a lack of institutional control at SEC universities, he should — at the very least — save a strongly-worded letter for Texas, reminding it that there's no place in the conference for its recent conduct. That is, unless he thinks Kiffin attempting to follow a court order is a greater sin.

In the SEC commissioner's regulations, a note on public comments states, "All individuals shall make every attempt to promote the Conference and its members in a positive manner."

The conference's constitution and bylaws take things further (Article 10.5.1):

For intercollegiate athletics to promote the character development of participants... and to promote civility in society, coaches, student-athletes and all others associated with these athletics programs and events should adhere to such fundamental values as honor, respect, fairness, civility, honesty and responsibility. These values should be manifest not only in athletics participation but also in the broad spectrum of activities affecting the athletics program.

Texas has fallen short of its obligations in recent days. But does the SEC notice? Does it even care?