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Paul Finebaum calls out Kirby Smart for 'below the belt' shot at Greg Sankey, SEC after title win

IMG_0985by:Griffin McVeigh•12/09/24•

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Kirby Smart
Brett Davis | Imagn Images

When Kirby Smart was on stage accepting the SEC Championship trophy, the Georgia head coach took a shot at Greg Sankey. Smart is happy his team gets some rest ahead of the College Football Playoff after playing a brutal road schedule this season. Sankey’s name was used by Smart despite the two standing quite close to one another.

ESPN’s Paul Finebaum was not too thrilled with the move from Smart, calling it a “below the belt” shot. He pointed out how Sankey himself did not make the schedule, one where Georgia traveled to Alabama, Ole Miss, and Texas.

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“I think everybody knows my affinity for Kirby Smart, but I, frankly, thought he was out of line for blasting the commissioner standing right next to him, presenting the trophy,” Finebaum said. “What was the point of taking a cheap shot at the commissioner of the SEC who did not do that schedule? By the way, on Wednesday night, you’re going to see next year’s schedule and it’s going to be the reverse of that. It’s still the same schedule but the home games.

“For Kirby Smart who rarely makes an error, I thought it was really below the belt. Can you not say that without calling out the guy next to you who’s handing out the championship trophy?”

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The ESPN camera capturing the moment panned over to Sankey, who did not have the best look on his face as Smart made his comments. But there was no movement and neither party has been asked if there was a conversation after the fact.

Either way, Finebaum was not thrilled with the moment considering the occasion.

Where the ESPN analyst is correct though — Georgia will have the exact same schedule next season, set to be unveiled on Wednesday evening. Those three teams will be coming to Sanford Stadium in 2025. Smart will play seven games at home while only three will be considered true road contests.

Before then, Smart is attempting to win the national championship. Georgia earned the two-seed on Sunday afternoon, awaiting the winner of the first-round matchup between Notre Dame and Indiana. A trip to New Orleans is next after getting some apparent much-needed rest.