Prior to Week 4’s game between USC and Arizona State, Trojans quarterback Matt Barkley referred to Sun Devils linebacker Vontaze Burfict as a “dirty player”, referencing Burfict’s alleged attempt to intentionally hurt Barkley while the two were competing in a high school game.
“His switch is always on,” Barkley said. “And it’s not a good switch.”
(Writer’s note: don’t know about you, but that featured image of Burfict pointing at Barkley says it all. It also happens to be freaking awesome.)
Indeed, Burfict has garnered a reputation for being one of the most mean-spirited players in the game. A locker room incident during the preseason where Burfict punched a teammate didn’t help his cause.
But dirty or not, the Pac-12 didn’t appreciate Barkley’s comments too much -- even upon clarification. Today, the league reprimanded Barkley for his words.
“All of our student-athletes must adhere to the Pac-12’s policies on Sportsmanship and Standards of Conduct, which call for our student athletes to treat opponents with respect and create and ensure a collegiate atmosphere in which to conduct competition,” Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott said in a statement. “In these circumstances, Mr. Barkley’s comments were a clear violation of Conference rules.”
As an added insult, Arizona State defeated USC 43-22, ending and 11-year winless drought against the Trojans.
Burfict also picked off Barkley, and even showed a tremendous display of sportsmanship to the quarterback afterward.
Point (or three) to Burfict.
Until his next personal foul penalty, of course.
