Former Tennessee Volunteers football coach Jeremy Pruitt offered a surprising explanation for his involvement in NCAA violations that led to significant penalties for the program. According to newly revealed details obtained through FOIA requests by Knox News, Pruitt attributed his actions, in part, to the social and racial unrest of 2020, specifically referencing the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor.

Pruitt explained to investigators that witnessing these events while also seeing players struggle financially during the COVID-19 pandemic prompted him to assist a player's mother with bills. He expressed empathy for the hardships faced by his players, particularly those from different backgrounds than his own. Pruitt stated, according to Knox News, "Then you throw in George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, okay, so you sit there as a white man and you see all of this going on and you can see these kids suffering.”

Despite acknowledging the violations, Pruitt maintained that he would make the same decision again, arguing that his actions aligned with the spirit of the university’s student assistance fund, which was reportedly depleted at the time. He claimed he didn't believe he was breaking the rules, given the circumstances.

The NCAA, however, found Pruitt's actions to be in violation of its rules. The university was fined $8 million and forced to vacate all wins from the 2019 and 2020 seasons. The NCAA’s report detailed over 200 infractions, including 18 Level I violations, primarily involving recruiting and impermissible payments to athletes and their families, totaling about $60,000.

While Pruitt admitted to providing financial assistance to two players, he denied other allegations, suggesting some players' mothers fabricated stories to shield their sons, according to Knox News. Pruitt received a six-year show-cause penalty from the NCAA, effectively barring him from coaching at the collegiate level during that time.