Big 12 issues public reprimands for Baker Mayfield, Kansas players
The Big 12 issued reprimands Tuesday for the conduct displayed by Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield and multiple Kansas players during the Sooners’ win over the Jayhawks on Saturday.
Mayfield’s reprimand came because he screamed profanity at Kansas “bench and fans” and also because he grabbed his crotch (while screaming profanity) after a third quarter touchdown.
“Mr. Mayfield’s actions are unacceptable and should not be tolerated,” Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby said in a statement. “I am grateful for the efficient management of this matter by the coaches and administration of the University of Oklahoma. Baker Mayfield is a truly outstanding competitor and I generally appreciate his style of play and the manner in which he competes. However, the behavior he exhibited on the sideline during the Oklahoma-Kansas game was inappropriate and contrary to our sportsmanship policies.”
Mayfield issued a teary apology for his actions Monday. Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley said the Heisman favorite would not be a captain for the team’s senior day game vs. West Virginia on Saturday and would also not start the game. Mayfield said he was hurt he couldn’t be a captain but understood why the discipline was handed out.
The quarterback was fired up before the game began when Kansas captains didn’t shake his hand before the pregame coin toss. KU players Dorance Armstrong Jr., Jeremiah Booker, Joe Dineen and Daniel Wise were reprimanded by the league.
“The refusal of these student-athletes to shake an opponent’s hand during the pre-game ceremony is contrary to tradition and inconsistent with common courtesy,” Bowlsby said in this reprimand. “The pre-game handshake among team captains is symbolic of good sportsmanship. This breach of protocol is not in keeping with the standards of the Big 12 Conference. I am grateful for the work of the Kansas administration and coaches to resolve this matter.”
Kansas coach David Beaty said three of the players reprimanded would be stripped of their captaincy for KU’s final game of the season against Oklahoma State.
Beaty says Dineen, Wise, Armstrong will not be captains this week following Mayfield handshake snub. Beaty says that will be extent of public punishment. Those guys are available to start.
— Jesse Newell (@jessenewell) November 21, 2017
The public reprimands are just that — public reprimands. And nothing more. The league is not issuing any tangible discipline towards the players.
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Nick Bromberg is the editor of Dr. Saturday and From the Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
