Don't Call Me...I'll Call You! Was Penalizing John Parker Wilson Necessary?

John Parker Wilson’s mimic of using a cell phone in the first quarter was understandable since he was provoked by LSU students calling him after someone posted his cell phone number on the Internet. This kind of behavior wasn't excusable by me or especially the official who flagged it for 15 yards and eventually seven points, but (and yes I say but) are we really that infatuated with rules that by the time it became Wilson's turn to taunt, it could have cost the team the game?

What I mean to say is, Tim Tebow had no problems when he performed the first and best mimic; I mean, come on, Knowshon Moreno didn't when he decided that Tebow was right.

Why now? Why, during the biggest game of the SEC season, do you flag the senior quarterback for giving a little since he took a little all week? Well, your answer probably lies beyond the mindless drone in stripes. It more than likely came from the top or somewhere near the top—or did it?

I may sound like I am against the officials, but I am not. I spent nearly four years officiating high school football and respect what they do. Trust me, I respect what they do. I just remember the most important thing in officiating was to not officiate the outcome of the game, if you can. Most people don't understand that the officials are people, too. They work and live in the same communities we do.

So when you are listening to WJOX in Birmingham, they are, too. When you are standing around the coffee pot talking about all of the football gossip you can, they are, too. The referee always gives the 'watch your zone' and the 'watch for this and that' speech before each game. This team does this and so on. Do they talk about the crowds and the rivalry? Yes, that is the first thing in the sub-conscience of their brains.

So, to wrap up my ramblings, did the official have to throw the flag when John Parker Wilson did the now-old routine of the cell phone mimic? Of course not. This is SEC football, not high school. Let them taunt. Let them celebrate. Let them be the kids they are.