Mario Cristobal made a bold claim about Kirby Smart that crossed a line

Miami head coach Mario Cristobal and Kirby Smart are great friends. They both coached under Nick Saban at Alabama at the same time, so of course they grew close to one another. Their relationship apparently has continued to this day to the point where they openly crack jokes at each other’s expense in public settings.

That is exactly what happened Monday night at an award ceremony to crown the best freshman defender in college football. But Cristobal’s latest joke went a little too far as he appeared to indirectly accuse Smart and Georgia of cheating.

“If it wasn’t for all his years of pre-NIL, we wouldn’t have NIL right now.”

Marion Cristobal's latest joke took things too far

To be fair to Cristobal, Smart was the one who opened fire at this ceremony first. Both coaches had an opportunity to introduce their player that was up for the award, and when Smart was introducing Ellis Robinson he told Cristobal to stay away from him so he doesn't try to steal him and turn him into a Hurricane.

This opened the door for Cristobal to fire back, and he took full advantage of that. He first made a joke about former Georgia quarterback Carson Beck finding more success at Miami than he ever did as Georgia's starter. While that joke does sting a little it is more than fair game, especially considering Georgia had a lot to say about Beck since he transferred to Miami.

But this NIL joke took things a little too far. Cristobal doesn't actually think Smart and Georgia were paying players before NIL was legal, but others who don't understand their relationship will think he is being serious and believe Smart cheated. That is why this joke took things too far because Georgia never cheated and Smart would never allow that to happen in his program.

At the end of the day this really isn't that big of a deal, but next time Cristobal should think a little more before he speaks.