As the Kentucky Wildcats are coming off a big week 2 win over south Carolina, their next opponent is in the news for all the wrong reasons.
Florida Gators head coach Jim McElwain says he regrets tearing into junior running back Kelvin Taylor on the sideline after Taylor drew a penalty for a "throat slash" touchdown celebration gesture late in Florida’s 31-24 win over East Carolina on Saturday.
Here's a look at the full video, but be warned, some of the language is not safe for work or the kids:
Jim McElwain lost it! pic.twitter.com/bQZDDDjLcy
— Sports Facilities (@_BestFacilities) September 13, 2015
Jim McElwain channels his inner Nick Saban. pic.twitter.com/3Cq9UCIE0P
— Izzy Gould (@IzzyGould) September 13, 2015
Since the incident took place, McElwain has said he's sorry for his action and has even heard from his 94-year-old mother how wrong he was:
"I'm not proud about it, and neither is my mother," McElwain said Monday at his weekly presser. "I don't feel good about it. As you know, this is a very public job. This is a public thing that we do. I understand that I have a long ways to go and I make mistakes.
"Am I proud of it? Absolutely not. Do I feel bad about it? Yes. At the same time, I've got to understand my mistakes as well and learn from it and go forward."
Here's my view on it: McElwain went a little over the edge with his tirade, but Taylor was wrong for his throat--slash gesture. It's frankly a sickening taunt that should never be used, and McElwain was right to chew him out for it. Frankly, I find a grown man screaming and cursing less offensive than someone displaying a gesture of cutting someone's throat open.
McElwain was right to be upset about this and immediately lay the hammer down so everyone knew that kind of behavior is never acceptable. He could have eased up a little and not yelled at the top of his voice right in Taylor's face, but it's still not as big of a deal to me as people are making it.
It certainly didn't help that there was a camera on McElwain during his tirade as it was broadcast for the whole world to see. I think any sideline chewing should be off limits for national TV, especially when it's closer to the bench. Those can get pretty heated and emotional, and it's not fair to the players and coaches to have those broadcast nationally.
Besides, Taylor should know what it's like to have an angry coach since Will Muschamp was his coach last year.