re: Alabama fan, just allow me to remind you -

It’s a great point, but Bediako didn't ultimately win.

He initially received a temporary restraining order and actually played five games for Alabama. But another judge subsequently denied his request for a preliminary injunction, ending his ability to continue playing for Alabama.

Here comes the fun part: Greg Sankey and the SEC opposed Bediako returning to Alabama too.

Sankey submitted an affidavit supporting the NCAA and asking the court to uphold the eligibility rules.

So someone like you saying, "Why is the SEC going after LSU when Alabama did the same thing?" does have a legitimate comparison—but there's an important answer.

Alabama tried to use Bediako while a court order temporarily permitted him to play. When the injunction was denied, Bediako stopped playing.

The problem is the SEC's current position is that LSU went substantially further. Its federal lawsuit alleges LSU engaged in a “deliberate and coordinated campaign to recruit professional athletes” despite the conference's rules. THATS THE ISSUE!!!

And that gets back to the Kiffin allegation I was discussing earlier. The controversy isn't simply:

Former professional wants to return … school wants him … player sues.

That's essentially what happened with Bediako.

The SEC alleges something closer to:

LSU/Kiffin identifies former/current NFL players … reaches out to players or their representatives … encourages litigation that could establish their eligibility … intends to recruit those players back into college football.

That's a much more aggressive institutional action.

The stronger distinction is: Alabama tested the eligibility of one former professional through the courts and ultimately complied when Bediako lost his injunction. The SEC alleges LSU/Kiffin embarked on a broader effort to recruit professional players and facilitate litigation designed to make them eligible.