Winston Shoves Ref, Explains Pushing, Should He Have Been Ejected From Game? [VIDEO]

Winston Shoves Ref - In the third quarter of Saturday's game against the Boston College Eagles, Florida State quarterback James Winston shoved an official out of the way but was somehow not penalized for doing so. The referee was in the way while the player was trying to get under center, therefore Winston shoves ref during the game.

The shoving incident occurred during his team's narrow 20-17 win over Boston College. Winston shoves ref during while the game had been tied 17-17 in the third quarter, according to the Business Insider.

Before Winston shoves ref during the game, FSU was driving down the field and running an up-tempo offense. At the time, Winston was trying to go as quickly as possible. He reportedly picked up six yards on 1st down near midfield. Florida State then made a quick substitution and tried to run a play.

According to the Business Insider, based on the circumstances and Winston's comments later on, it was clear that the moment Winston shoves ref was due to the player getting caught up in the moment.

College rules reportedly state that when the offense makes a substitution, the defense has to have a chance to make a substitution as well. An official will be standing over the ball until it has been made clear that the defense is ready. The official that Winston shoved was intending to do just that.

Before Winston shoves ref, the official was telling him to hold on before he came to the line. However, Winston did not listen and instead Winston shoves ref right through to get under center.

The ESPN announcing team reportedly laughed at the incident as it happened. Also, no penalty was called for the intentional ramming.

However, after the game, officiating experts from both ESPN and Fox Sports came out and said after Winston shoves ref, that should have been a 15-yard penalty. Winston should have also been ejected from the game for touching an official.

Meanwhile, after Winston shoves ref and what he has done has been called out, he offered explanation himself after the game via ESPN.

"He was just holding me because he said we had a substitution. It was actually a fast-tempo play, so I was trying to get up under there and let it ride," he said.

FSU coach Jimbo Fisher in the meantime, downplayed the incident of Winston shoving the ref.

"Oh, [the ref] said we had changed a running back somewhere. I don't know. Never mind. I'm going to shut up. I'm getting a little perturbed on some of that stuff," Fisher stated.

"[Winston] didn't realize, he thought he could snap the ball. The kind of play we had was based off a quick run up the line, snap the ball. That's what it was based on. I don't know, we'll see," he added.

FOX Sports' Mike Pereira said that after Winston shoves ref, he should have been ejected from the game, reports Bleacher Report.

"This wasn't accidental, folks, this was on purpose," Pereira said after the game.

Webster was reportedly doing his job, which was holding the snap until the referee cleared him. Though there was no malicious intent, it was clear that Winston shoves ref out of the way so he can get the snap off.

Players have reportedly gotten ejected for much less heavier sanctions, but Winston was not ejected.

Winston shoves ref, and the action should have merited an ejection, but according to the ACC on November 23, the incident did not warrant a penalty.

Watch the incident below.

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