Shane Ray on ejection: 'I'm not a dirty player'

In the second quarter of the SEC Championship, SEC sack leader and Missouri defensive end Shane Ray was ejected for targeting when he unloaded a vicious hit on Alabama quarterback Blake Sims after he released the football.

RELATED: Watch Shane Ray’s hit on Blake Sims

The potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft vehemently disagreed with the ejection and expressed his frustrations to the media following the 42-13 blowout loss.

Shane Ray defiantly disagreed with his penalty. “I’m not a dirty player.”

— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) December 7, 2014

Shane Ray: “I was two steps within the quarterback. I made a hit as soon as he released the ball. I led with my hands.” (more) — Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) December 7, 2014

Shane Ray: “If there was any ill intent there I would have led with my helmet and tried to make a harder hit. But there wasn’t.” (more)

— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) December 7, 2014

Ray: “I played legally within what I was supposed to do. The call was made by the (officials).” — Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) December 7, 2014

Ray said against a shorter QB like Sims, defenders have to aim lower. He still disagreed with the call. “Don’t leave it up to the referees.”

— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) December 7, 2014

Without its best defensive player, Missouri’s defensive line and the defensive unit as a whole struggled to contain the Crimson Tide, who racked up 42 points and 504 total yards of offense.