Syracuse football's fine from ACC for faking injuries is indicative of larger issue

I'll start this column off by saying I have no problem with Atlantic Coast Conference officials fining Syracuse University for faking injuries in the football team's win last Saturday afternoon at Clemson.

When a program breaks a rule, it should be punished. However, leaders of the ACC and other conferences nationwide have to be consistent with their fines and punishments. Is Syracuse football the only team around the country that has faked injuries so far in the 2025 season? Hardly.

Those who know me know that I bleed Orange like it's nobody's business. I try to stay positive about Syracuse as much as possible, but I'm also not afraid to call my alma mater out. Faking injuries is lame, it's bad sportsmanship, and there's no place for it.

Head coach Fran Brown, on Monday, said he's focused on his team's next game, which is a home encounter against Duke this Saturday afternoon. "I'm trying to move on. We’ve got a tough football team coming," Brown said.

SU Athletics, according to reports, put out a statement that said the university accepts the fine issued by the ACC. "We remain firmly committed to upholding the highest standards of sportsmanship and competitive integrity across all 20 of our varsity sports," the statement continued.

Syracuse football needs to do better, but the ACC and other leagues also must be consistent.

As far as I can tell, the 'Cuse is the first school this year to receive a fine for faking injuries. The ACC fined the Orange $25,000 and also issued a public reprimand, saying the team's feigning of injuries by players, along with actions by a Syracuse football coach, are "unethical and contrary to the spirit of the rules."

The ACC said that Syracuse football, with 9:25 remaining in the fourth quarter, violated NCAA Football Rule 3-3-6-b. The ACC also said in its statement that it "considers this matter closed."

But is the matter really closed? To reiterate, I have no problem with the Orange getting fined, but what about all the other teams out there that are doing the exact same thing and walk away scot-free? Consistency is desperately needed here.

Oh, and Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik appears to have been correct when he referenced the 'Cuse potentially faking injuries after the Tigers fell at home to Syracuse football, 34-21. I'll give credit where credit is due. Still, Klubnik's whining after losing seemed immature. Even if he was right.