Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart delivered a pointed critique of the name, image and likeness (NIL) era during the 2025 SEC Championship game on December 6 in Atlanta. Speaking after Georgia's matchup against Alabama at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Smart said, "Everybody's practicing less, but getting injured more," suggesting that the current landscape has led to decreased practice time and increased injury rates across the conference.
Smart's comments highlight growing concerns among SEC coaches about the impact of NIL regulations on player development and health. The 2025 SEC Championship provided a high-profile platform for the coach to voice frustrations shared by several conference leaders.
