Mitch Barnhart defends Benny Snell on Twitter
UK athletics director Mitch Barnhart talks to the media after the ceremony for the new baseball stadium, scheduled to be finished fall 2018. Members of the University of Kentucky baseball team, coaching and supporting staffs, and season ticket holders signed a beam that was incorporated into the new baseball stadium on campus. The beam was installed during the “topping-out” ceremony on Thursday, November 2, 2017 in Lexington, Kentucky, which is a tradition in the construction of large structures signifying the placement of the largest or highest piece of steel on the structure. Photo by Arden Barnes | Staff
January 3, 2018
Many people around the country have weighed in on Benny Snell’s ejection during the Music City Bowl, and on Wednesday afternoon, Kentucky Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart chimed in as well.
In a series of tweets posted on Wednesday, Barnhart gave his opinion on Snell’s ejection. Barnhart stood up for Snell and said he believes that the running back’s ejection was unwarranted.
“Benny’s frustration and his passion for the game are why he reacted the way he did, but he was not deserving of an ejection,” Barnhart wrote. “It is unfortunate our fans didn’t get to see one of the best running backs in the country play against an excellent Northwestern team.”
Barnhart, and athletics directors, rarely come out in the open to criticize referees’ decisions in games. Snell’s ejection caused a huge reaction on the internet, as several prominent figures shared their disbelief to the ejection.
Story: Internet reacts to Benny Snell’s ejection
Snell only racked up 15 yards on six carries before leaving the game. The Cats only attempted 22 rushes during the game, which was the lowest they attempted all season.
