Kentucky running back Benny Snell was ejected from Friday’s Music City Bowl in a highly criticized move, and now the referee behind the ejection is explaining himself.
During the second quarter of the Kentucky-Northwestern game, Snell was ejected for making contact with a referee. But video showed that the official essentially initiated the contact and that Snell was tossed for simply refusing help getting up. Take a look:
Hi hello THIS is the play that got Benny Snell ejected. That is all. pic.twitter.com/IllCwIOXQw
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 30, 2017
This is how Benny Snell got ejected pic.twitter.com/twelmXwYde
— Dr. Saturday (@YahooDrSaturday) December 29, 2017
Snell is Kentucky’s biggest offensive weapon. He rushed for 1,333 yards and 19 touchdowns this season, so tossing him from a game will have a huge impact on the Wildcats’ chances of winning. An ejection should not come lightly.
So why did official Chris Coyte toss Snell? Here was his explanation:
Music City Bowl referee Chris Coyte on Benny Snell ejection: "The player got up and grabbed my arms and pushed them away and contacted me. That’s a foul."
— Adam Sparks (@AdamSparks) December 30, 2017
That’s a pretty poor explanation, especially when everyone can see Snell simply turned down the official’s offer to help him get up.
Here’s what Snell said on Twitter about it after the game:
My passion for this game is out the roof , I don’t need help getting up. I can do that on my own. #snellyeah
— MrSnell Ya Later (@benny_snell) December 30, 2017
Sorry, Coyte, but you’re just not going to get people to buy your explanation on this one. Coyte, mind you, was part of another bowl game controversy two years ago.
