Illinois Football Coach Doled Out 'Porridge Punishment'

At one Illinois university, football players who didn't follow the rules faced an unconventional punishment: They were given porridge for breakfast at a recent banquet. New University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign coach Tim Beckman instituted the policy during his first season with the team, and says it was "a little bit of an eye-opening experience" for some players. Those who did follow the rules—getting to class early, not missing any winter workout reps—got steak and eggs, the Chicago Tribune reports.

"We ask our players to be above and beyond … and compete at a level that we think is a championship level," Beckman adds. Twenty-one players ate steak—and Beckman himself ate porridge, because he missed one workout to speak at an alumni event. (More porridge stories.)