College Football Fans Destroying Georgia Walk-On Parker Jones
01/02/2025 05:45 PM
Nobody is rooting for Georgia to win the Sugar Bowl more than Parker Jones after a sideline snafu.
Early in the second quarter, Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton connected with Arian Smith for a 66-yard gain that took them to the 11. However, Georgia got called for a 15-yard sideline interference penalty after Jones ran into a referee.
Jones was standing past the yellow line and in the unrestricted white area. ESPN rules analyst Matt Austin endorsed the ruling.
"It's dangerous down there. He's running full speed to keep up with the play to get a good spot," Jones said of the official. "And if somebody gets in his way, there's a collision. It's extremely dangerous. So yeah, that's a good call."
Georgia settled for a field goal and trails 13-3 at halftime. That's bad news for Parker, a walk-on defensive back who could live in football infamy if Georgia loses the College Football Playoff matchup.
Georgia was given a sideline interference penalty after the official collided with No. 39 Parker Jones during this play. pic.twitter.com/oGpMKUqAr6
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 2, 2025
Viewers weren't particularly kind to Jones on social media.
"Tough time to be Parker Jones on the internet," Pat McAfee wrote.
"Parker Jones is the loneliest dude in the world right now," a fan said.
"Gotta be honest. Didn't think Parker Jones would have much of an impact on this one," a fan quipped.
"Cut Parker Jones immediately," a fan demanded. "He's walking back to Athens."
"Parker Jones will be in the NCAA transfer portal before dawn," Brian Pedersen predicted.
Only a die-hard Bulldogs fan had heard of Jones before his unfortunate Sugar Bowl moment. The redshirt sophomore has yet to play for Kirby Smart's program, and that may be less likely to change now.
Jones could carve out a dubious place in Georgia history as the inactive player who inadvertently cost his team 15 yards. Fans may have already moved on if Georgia erased the blunder with a touchdown, but the offense mustered 141 yards in a sluggish opening half without Carson Beck.
Jones and Bulldogs fans must hope Stockton can ignite a second-half Sugar Bowl comeback. The winner will advance to play Penn State in the Orange Bowl.
Related: Georgia Walk-On Parker Jones Is Trending For The Worst Reason
