Tennessee fined over trash-throwing incident

Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee fined $250K over trash-throwing incident

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 10/19/21

The University of Tennessee has been fined $250,000 and issued multiple penalties after last weekend's game was delayed 20 minutes because fans were throwing trash onto the field.

Fans became enraged with officials in the final minute of play between Tennessee and Ole Miss and starting chucking still-full water bottles and other miscellaneous items onto the field.

Tennessee fans admitting there trash by throwing trash onto the field pic.twitter.com/hRVnFkpoBf
— Nick McCardell (@UKhoops1_BBN) October 17, 2021

Coaches, players, and anyone else on the field had to run for cover as trash rained down. And if you think getting hit with a water bottle would hurt: Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin was notably struck by a golf ball.

Lane Kiffin got hit by a golf ball from the stands in Knoxvillepic.twitter.com/ZrNyqCPCRh
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) October 17, 2021

In addition to the fine, the SEC is requiring the school to update its game-day management procedures and its alcohol availability policies.

"The disruption of Saturday night's game is unacceptable and cannot be repeated on any SEC campus," SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said, via CBS Sports. "Today's actions are consistent with the oversight assigned by the membership to the SEC office, including the financial penalty and review of alcohol availability. We will use this opportunity to reemphasize to each SEC member the importance of providing a safe environment even with the intensity of competition that occurs every week. We will also reengage our membership in further review of the alcohol availability policy to consider additional measures for the sale and management of alcohol while providing the appropriate environment for collegiate competition."

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