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Paul Finebaum recently put the NCAA on blast for its suspension of LSU defensive lineman Maason Smith.
Smith was suspended for the season opener for “receiving an improper benefit.” Finebaum was not exactly thrilled with the NCAA’s decision.
The suspension comes from a 2021 autograph signing that took place prior to the NCAA updating its NIL guidelines.
“I mean, how many times do you hear the NCAA leaders talk about the student-athletes and ‘we are here to serve them?'” Finebaum said.
The veteran analyst proceeded to rip the hypocrisy of the NCAA. Here’s video of his full thoughts:
With the Maason Smith case, the NCAA shows who they truly serve, no one. pic.twitter.com/FdDzEcewSk
— Paul Finebaum (@finebaum) August 25, 2023
“In the case of Maason Smith, they didn’t serve the student-athlete. This happened 2 years ago. All you have to do is say, ‘he missed a year. Yeah, technically, he’s in violation but we are going to make an exception because we care about the student-athlete. But they didn’t.
“And that’s why people hate the NCAA and quite frankly they’re going to continue to. Whether they’ve got a governor or a shoe salesman in charge, because … they’re completely bereft of leadership at that organization.”
Smith will make his season debut in Week 2 against Grambling State.
Bryce Lazenby covers college football for Saturday Down South. A Nashville native, his previous stops include FanSided, Dimers, and The Leaf-Chronicle.
