Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes must still not be done celebrating their blowout win 0-34 against Wisconsin. But looks like their party just got bigger. The reason? They are yet to face Penn State, and that’s when some firing news dropped in to boost their spirits. As per the latest reports, SEC official Ken Williamson has been suspended, not just for a few games, but permanently. And finally, the Ohio State fans got their closure for a heartbreak they witnessed six years back. 

On October 22, the Official Ohio State DG account reposted a tweet. The Ohio State alumnus and college football insider wrote, “Ken Williamson was the head ref in the 2019 Fiesta bowl vs Clemson , has now been banned from SEC football games.” He did not forget to back it up with proof, since many fans have forgotten what exactly happened in 2019 with the Buckeyes. The alum attached a screenshot of an AP article with the headline, “Fiesta referee explains crucial call that flipped semifinal.” But what’s the hoopla all about?

The longtime referee was removed following an SEC review of eleven complaints lodged against Williamson and his crew during the Auburn-Georgia game. After further investigation, nine of those complaints were validated by conference officials. The October 11 face-off between Auburn and Georgia was heavy with high-profile penalty calls. It soon made Williamson a magnet for receiving hate from Tigers coaches, administrators, and fans. Auburn quarterback Jackson Arnold appeared to cross the goal line, but before officials could make a call, the ball was punched out by the defense. The near-touchdown quickly turned into a costly fumble, leaving Auburn empty-handed.

Following the turnover, Georgia drove the field for a late second-quarter field goal, leading Auburn athletic director John Cohen to shout at Williamson as the teams left the field. But somehow, Auburn, paying the price, came up with a deja vu moment for Ohio State fans surrounding Williamson. 

December 28, 2019, will forever be etched in the memories of the Buckeyes fans. Thanks to Williamson for gifting a big trauma. Dabo Swinney’s Clemson claimed a 29-23 victory over Ohio State in the CFP semifinal. A targeting call against nickelback Shaun Wade by Williamson crippled the Ohio State secondary for the remainder of the game. Replay officials reviewed a hit by the Buckeyes’ defensive back on Trevor Lawrence during a third-and-5 in the second quarter and called targeting. Wade’s hard sack left Lawrence down for several minutes. The penalty given by Williamson not only ejected Wade but also turned what would have been a fourth down into a first down for Clemson at the Ohio State 30. So, now you know it’s a celebration time in the Columbus camp.

Fans Celebrate Ken Williamson’s Suspension Decision

Looks like the Ohio State fans do not want to see Williamson making a comeback. One of them thus requested, “Lock him up and throw away the key.” Just before halftime, a potential Tigers touchdown was ruled a fumble at the goal line, a call that replay upheld despite what seemed like clear evidence to the contrary. This was not expected from a veteran coach like Williamson.

The Buckeyes fans’ patience to expose Williamson came true. As one of them wrote, “It’s been a long time coming. Good riddance.” During the Ohio State vs Clemson controversy, the head coach tried to defend himself. He said the SEC reviewed the play on-site and in Birmingham, determining that the ball was coming loose as Ross moved, preventing the completion of the catch. But years later, the truth came out. 

Williamson began officiating 41 years ago in the Mid-Florida Officials Association in Gainesville. A fan did not mince his words and commented, “You’ve served your purpose.” Williamson even thought of pestering Auburn in the fourth quarter. Kirby Smart ran down the sideline with a timeout signal while the Bulldogs were advancing. Williamson’s crew stopped the play, but the Georgia coach insisted he was only clapping.

He has been the face of the SEC Championship Game in 2021 and was an alternate in the CFP Fiesta Bowl Semi-Final Game. Yet then, fans are celebrating that the SEC arrived at a decision, “I’m glad he has been suspended. The games need to be fair.” And Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith, who expressed anger over the call in 2019, must be the happiest.

Ken Williamson spent 5 years in the Gulf South, 4 years in the Sun Belt, and 17 years in the SEC. So, nobody expected this from him. But Ohio State fans’ wounds are finally healing as one of them commented, “It does slightly ease the pain to know that us fans were right all along.” And now, Hugh Freeze and Auburn would heal, too. They are now waiting for the official statement from the SEC on Williamson.