Ole Miss Rebels fined $5,000 for rushing the field following Egg Bowl win

Mississippi Rebels fans celebrate by holding up the Egg Bowl trophy after their victory against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mississippi Rebels defeated the Mississippi State Bulldogs 41-24. (Spruce Derden-US PRESSWIRE)

This may sound like a joke, and after all the smiles and laughs Rebels fans shared following their team’s first Egg Bowl win since 2008, one might be led to assume that is was, indeed, just a quirky attempt at some NCAA tomfoolery.

However, it was not the NCAA who fined the program $5,000, but the SEC.

But just like the NCAA, the Southeastern Conference is not messing around.

For the first time since 2008, Ole Miss had beaten its intra-state rival. With the win, first year coach Hugh Freeze and his program earned bowl-eligibility for the first time since 2009.

Fans celebrated what was a far cry from the 2-10 debacle last season the only way fans across the country have ever known how to celebrate: By rushing the playing field.

Unfortunately, in an email sent to the media by the conference, such behavior is no longer protocol in the nation’s strongest conference.

“Access to competition areas shall be limited to participating student-athletes, coaches, officials, support personnel and properly credentialed individuals at all times. For the safety of participants and spectators alike, at no time before, during or after a contest shall spectators be permitted to enter the competition area. It is the responsibility of each member institution to implement procedures to ensure compliance with this policy.”

It was Ole Miss’ first offense, thus resulting in the aforementioned $5,000 fine. Should the SEC observe further behavior of the same ilk (feel free to scoff at the ludicrous ruling at any time, by the way) the fines may increase to $25,000 and even all the way up to $50,000 as deemed necessary by the conference rules committee.

From now on, fans may be forced to simply rush the bars surrounding their respective home stadiums following massive wins, instead of the playing field in question.

How do you feel about this ruling, Gamedayr Nation?

Let us know in the comments below!

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