Kirby Smart Apologizes for Shove Incident

During a recent football game between Georgia and Mississippi State, Georgia's head coach Kirby Smart was seen shoving Mississippi State quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. while trying to reach his defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann for a personnel change. The incident, captured by SEC Network cameras, went unnoticed by game officials, resulting in no penalty, though SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey stated it should have resulted in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Smart later apologized to Van Buren and Mississippi State's coach Jeff Lebby, citing the chaotic sideline operations as the reason for the incident. The shove has sparked online controversy, with some calling for a suspension or fine for Smart, while others see it as an accidental mistake. Despite the incident, Mississippi State quarterback Van Buren Jr. handled the situation calmly, avoiding further escalation.