The Pac-12 has reprimanded UCLA linebacker Deon Hollins for what it described as “derogatory comments” about the conference’s officiating.
Hollins said on Tuesday that referees had missed numerous holding calls during the Bruins’ 31-27 loss to Washington State this past weekend, and joked about possibly sending officials a gift basket.
“It’s really tough sometimes beating the referees and beating the other team,” he said then. “It’s really tough sometimes. We were just looking at it on film. There were so many missed things. I was appalled.”
That was enough to prompt an official response from the conference.
“All of our student-athletes must adhere to the Pac-12’s Standards of Conduct,” Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott said in a statement. “Mr. Hollins remarks were a clear violation of the Pac-12 comprehensive restrictions on public comments on officiating and he is being appropriately reprimanded.”
“There is a great deal of responsibility that comes with being a football student-athlete in the Pac-12 and at UCLA,” Hollins said in a statement. “Unfortunately, yesterday I spoke out of frustration and knew almost immediately afterwards that my comments were inappropriate. I expect more of myself and will not let this happen again.”
