ESPN draws Sugar Bowl backlash for focusing in on Georgia’s Parker Jones for sideline mishap

ESPN drew criticism for singling out and focusing its cameras late in the fourth quarter on Georgia’s redshirt sophomore cornerback, who earned a penalty for colliding with a referee during the Bulldogs’ 23-10 loss to Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal on Thursday night.

“The Commentators trying to blame the loss on Parker Jones is insanity😂,” one X user posted. “They had the ball at the 30 that drive and didn’t move an inch.”

Announcer Sean McDonough highlighted Jones’ penalty with less than two minutes remaining before the camera then focused on Jones for a noticeable length.

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“The play went to the 11-yard line, 67 yards, but the 15-yard penalty brought it back to the 25. That’s Parker Jones, a walk-on cornerback who hasn’t played in a game this year. He must be absolutely devastated. Wound up settling for a field goal, took a 3-0 lead. They were poised to score a touchdown.”

That broadcast sequence made it seem as if Jones played a major role in Georgia’s loss.

“Very unfortunate,” Smart said. “The white is reserved for the officials. That’s a safety concern. Most of the time, they’ll grant you a warning on that. … It was a situation where it cost us 15 yards. We still had first-and-10 and didn’t take advantage of it.

— Vid Clip Hero (@VidClipHero) January 3, 2025

Jones became a college football household name Thursday when he collided with referee JB Garza on a 67-yard play at the beginning of the second quarter in a scoreless game.

Another commented: “ESPN showing Parker Jones again and again acting like he’s the reason that Georgia couldn’t move the ball, tackle, show discipline or come up with the big play when they needed it. Do better.”

Georgia coach Kirby Smart called the penalty “very unfortunate” but did not blame the loss on Jones.

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