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An NIL ad featuring a pair of South Carolina football players has been circulating social media. Starting QB LaNorris Sellers and DB O’Donnell Fortune were seen marketing Midas Auto as a way to make some cash off the field.
In doing so, many believed they were taking a subtle jab at SEC officiating.
The Gamecocks are off to a 3-1 start in the college football season, though there are some that think Shane Beamer’s bunch should be a perfect 4-0.
The lone loss came to LSU with College GameDay on hand to see the home team fall, 36-33.
That game was filled with controversy with a focus being placed on the refereeing crew.
South Carolina jumped out to a 17-0 lead before the Tigers stormed back. The Gamecocks held a late five-point lead with LSU driving towards the go-ahead score.
With four minutes left in the action, the defense appeared to seal the win with a 100-yard pick-six to boost that advantage to two scores.
Then, some laundry was thrown onto the field.
@jlfootballclips Unnecessary Roughness brings back 100 yard pick 6! #lsu #southcarolina #interception #touchdown #collegefootball #cfb #sports #fypage #trending #explore ♬ original sound – JordansClips
An unnecessary roughness penalty was called away from the play when defensive end Kyle Kennard made a block on quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. The flag negated the touchdown, which eventually allowed LSU to get the ball back and take the lead.
South Carolina would miss a field goal as time expired and fall by three points.
The media reaction was split on the call. Some viewed it as a correct ruling of a blindside block. Others didn’t think it warranted a flag.
It was the second pick-six called back for the South Carolina football team.
Earlier in the game, O’Donnell Fortune intercepted a Nussmeier pass and strolled into the endzone. Again, Kyle Kennard was called for a penalty to wipe the play out.
Shane Beamer was upset with the calls, which had an impact on the game’s outcome. In total, the Gamecocks had 16 points wiped off the board, with a two-point conversion also called back during the action.
Now, it seems Fortune and his teammate are subtly calling that SEC officiating out!
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Those in the comments section believe the motive is clear!
“This is awesome. I’m assuming this is intentionally in reference to the LSU game.”
The timing of the commercial is interesting!
South Carolina was able to move on from the LSU loss, winning its next football game over Akron, 50-7. That doesn’t mean they can’t continue to voice frustrations.