There’s controversy surrounding the University of Illinois football team, and not just because of the team’s lackluster performance on the field.
During Saturday’s losing effort against Wisconsin, ESPN cameras caught coach Tim Beckman using smokeless tobacco on the sidelines.
The use of any tobacco, including smokeless, is prohibited for athletes and coaches during NCAA competitions and practices.
The U of I will report itself to the NCAA and the Big Ten for a “secondary rules violation.”
Beckman says it’s a bad habit and attributed it to stress, but vows it won’t happen again.
