A veteran college football official has reportedly been “permanently suspended” from refereeing contests in the SEC following a series of controversial calls in a game earlier this month.
Ken Williamson, who has spent the last 17 years refereeing in the SEC, is now banned from working games in the league, according to a report from Yellowhammer News. The decision comes after Williamson and his crew received 11 complaints about their work in the Auburn-Georgia matchup on Oct. 11.
“According to sources, nine of those complaints were validated by conference officials,” Yellowhammer News reported.
All SEC officials are “held accountable for their overall body of their work and the work of their crew, which is reviewed on a weekly and annual basis,” according to the conference guidelines.
The evaluations are then used to help determine future game assignments, including postseason and conference championship opportunities.
Auburn-Georgia marred by questionable calls
Georgia’s 20-10 road win against Auburn two weeks ago helped keep the Bulldogs alive in the SEC title and College Football Playoff races. It also featured multiple controversial officiating decisions, none bigger than a fumble ruling on a quarterback sneak near the goal line by Tigers quarterback Jackson Arnold.
It appeared that Arnold broke the plane before losing possession of the ball, which would have meant a touchdown and a 17-0 Auburn lead. However, after a long review, it was determined that he lost possession of the ball before scoring.
Since Georgia recovered the loose pigskin, the Bulldogs took over possession, eventually going on a lengthy field goal drive to cut the deficit to 10-3.
Prominent official backs up Williamson
Williamson has more than four decades under his belt as an official, including 26 years at the collegiate level. During that time, he’s built up a strong reputation among his peers.
Terry McAulay, a former NFL referee and current NBC Sports rules analyst, defended Williamson on X/Twitter this week, calling the decision to suspend the “very good” arbiter “insane.”
“I’ve commented on the Ga/Auburn game and no, the crew did not have a very good game,” McAulay added. “It happens to officials, just as it happens to coaches and players. I look forward to the day an AD suspends his coach for, in a single game, poor clock management, allowing players to feign injury, bad play calls, etc. Or let’s permanently bench a QB for throwing a game ending interception regardless of his past performance.
“*If* this is solely based on that one game, then shame on everyone involved. It’s yet another reason why Conferences should not oversee officiating and will forever be a dark stain on college football.”
