Tracy Smith’s suspension for tonights big game at Arizona is drawing commentary from national personalities.
Yesterday, Sporting News’ Mike DeCourcy chimed in with some thoughts about the league’s policy. The key descriptive term here is — ‘absurd’.
It’s not a First Amendment issue; it’s a common sense issue: No way should N.C. State’s Tracy Smith be suspended for criticizing the officiating following Sunday’s loss to Wake Forest.
Smith told the assembled media the refs called too many touch fouls and “favored Wake Forest all the way.” A suspension for such comments—he’ll miss State’s game Wednesday against Arizona—is absurd.
Smith did not question the officials’ integrity, only their competence. A league policy that insists refs should be above such comments is without merit.
I appreciate the comments and the attention that Smith’s comments are drawing to the abomination that is also known as ACC Officiating. (See this blog entry) However, suffering long time Wolfpackers are scratching our collective heads about this particular spat as we have all witnessed significantly worse officiating, and game changing calls, throughout our lifetime. It is odd to me that this ‘status quo’ officiated event was the game that drew ire and comments from an NC State player.
