The Bielema Flop That Wasn’t
Yesterday, a story broke with a video showing what many interpreted as Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema taking a “flop” to draw a personal foul against Cam Robinson during the Alabama game this past Saturday. Later in the evening a new video from a different angle showed that Bielema, while trying to break up the players from a skirmish, was in fact pushed by Cam Robinson. After the penalty flag was thrown, Bielema then proceeded to do to ugliest happy dance I have personally ever seen, even including my own horrible dance. The first video can be seen here and the video confirming the push here.
In response to the media outcry over the video, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey released the following statement:
“I visited with Bret Bielema over the phone on Monday and we discussed the play that has now become widely reviewed through a brief video clip. Football is played in an intense competitive environment and I reminded him of the need for head coaches to resolve with their own players issues that may arise, which was his intent. The unsportsmanlike penalty assessed on the play was not directly associated with Bret’s efforts to intervene at the end of the play and we are moving forward in a positive manner.”
The “Bielema Flop” drew attention from many major sports news organizations and journalists. One going as far as to say “this is very bad for Bielema.” I think it’s probably going to be O.K. now. Shocking.