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UNC football coach Mack Brown had some harsh words for the NCAA.
On Thursday, the NCAA ruled wide receiver Tez Walker will be ineligible for the 2023 season, and Brown released a statement ripping the NCAA for the decision saying, “It makes no sense and it never will.”
Walker had been seeking a waiver to play in 2023 despite being a two-time transfer, citing mental health challenges that led to his transfer and the fact that he never played at his first school after the season was canceled due to the COVID pandemic.
NC Central and Kent State, Walker’s previous schools, filed waivers in support of the wide receiver being granted eligibility for 2023, via ESPN.com.
Brown released his scathing statement that was shared on social media.
A statement from UNC HC Mack Brown on Tez Walker pic.twitter.com/ngm5jKlL20
— Carolina Football (@UNCFootball) September 7, 2023
“We’re absolutely crushed to learn that Tez Walker’s eligibility has been denied for this season and he won’t be able to play,” Brown said. “I don’t know that I’ve ever been more disappointed in a person, a group of people, or an institution than I am with the NCAA right now. It’s clear that the NCAA is about process and it couldn’t care less about the young people it’s supposed to be supporting. Plain and simple, the NCAA has failed Tez and his family and I’ve lost all faith in its ability to lead and govern our sport.
“As has been clearly documented, Tez should be eligible for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the mental health issues he’s faced during his time in college. And with this decision, the NCAA has placed an unnecessary burden on him. He’s had a rough go of it and this will surely only make it worse.
“How dare they ever speak about mental health and student-athlete welfare again. We’ve got complete rosters overhauled through the transfer portal, players playing in their 8th year of college, players playing at their fourth school, and the list goes on. Yet, Tez Walker, who has only played football at one school, isn’t eligible. It makes no sense and it never will.”
Brown closed his statement by saying, “Shame on you, NCAA. SHAME ON YOU!”
Walker, who grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina and served as his grandmother’s primary caregiver in high school, has received mental health counseling since arriving at UNC.
