SEC Suspends Referee; Suspension Could End Career

The SEC has suspended longtime crew chief Ken Williamson following an internal review of officiating in Georgia’s 20–10 win at Auburn on Oct. 11. The league logged 11 formal complaints about Williamson’s crew, nine of which outlets reported were validated, centering on a goal-line play in which Auburn QB Jackson Arnold was ruled to have fumbled after review, a disputed targeting review, and a sideline exchange tied to Kirby Smart that led to a play‑clock reset. Reports differ on the discipline — some outlets say it is a suspension for the remainder of the 2025 season while others describe it as a permanent ban from conference games. ESPN reported Williamson had told officials he planned to retire after this season, meaning the suspension could effectively end his career. The move has drawn sharp criticism from analysts, former officials and Auburn stakeholders, and the SEC declined comment while Williamson did not respond to inquiries.