Johnson apologizes for comment
Greetings-
Notes from Tuesday.
1. Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson, whose oft-unfettered tongue and unwillingness to back down to rival Georgia have earned him the admiration of Tech fans, apologized for a poor choice of words on his radio show Tuesday night.
Near the end of his show, a caller, presumably a Georgia Bulldogs fan, came on the air and said, “Hello? Hello?” and then began barking before either hanging up or being cut off. Johnson responded, “Hello? Hello? He just got off from Walmart.”
Johnson, who earlier in the day had commented how most Georgia fans he encounters are cordial, said, “Anybody who calls into a radio show and barks is either retarded or doesn’t have a life.”
After the show, Johnson said he meant his response as a joke, “but it was a poor choice of words on my part and I sincerely apologize. It was not my intention to offend anyone.”
Advocates for people with mental disabilities have campaigned to stop the use of the word “retard” or “retarded” as a slur, calling it hurtful and dehumanizing.
(Not sure what to say. It was a poor choice of words.)
2. A-back Orwin Smith, who sat out last Saturday’s game with a toe injury, practiced Tuesday and will try to play in Saturday’s game against Georgia.
“I will at least try,” Smith said Tuesday. “The worst that can happen is me going out there and me not being able to play, but I will give it a shot.”
Smith said he ran full speed at practice and “limped around a couple times,” but overall said he felt great. Smith is the Yellow Jackets’ most dangerous playmaker on offense. He averages 10.8 yards per carry and 23.8 yards per reception and has scored 11 touchdowns in 65 offensive touches. He has been receiving a variety of treatments, including hot and cold tubs and ultrasound, to stimulate healing of his turf toe injury, typically a painful malady.
Wide receiver Stephen Hill and A-back Roddy Jones were held out of practice for the second day in a row, but both expected to return to practice Wednesday and play. Guard Will Jackson practiced but was kept out of contact drills.
(The fact that Smith may be hampered is, obviously, noteworthy. Bears watching.)
3. Hal Miller, an All-American offensive tackle and a co-captain of Tech’s 1952 national championship team, died Monday following a short illness. He was 81.
In 1952, Miller helped lead the Jackets to a 12-0 record and a Sugar Bowl win over Mississippi, giving them the titled awarded by the International News Service. Born in Kingsport, Tenn., Miller was enshrined in the Georgia Tech, Georgia and Tennessee sports halls of fame.
The school is working on a tribute to honor both Miller and legendary Georgia play-by-play voice Larry Munson, who died Sunday, at Saturday’s game.
(While it’s sad news, I do hope that both are honored before the game.)
4. Hill is friends with one Georgia player he’ll likely see plenty on Saturday, cornerback Branden Smith. The two hung out last summer, Hill said. They played each other in high school and Hill played basketball and long jumped against another Georgia corner, Brandon Boykin.
“They’re real fast,” Hill said. “Their technique is great, so it’s going to be a challenge.”
5. Defensive coordinator Al Groh on Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray:
“He’s certainly as good as we’ve seen. We compare him and his skill level to (Clemson quarterback) Tajh Boyd. He moves very well within the pocket as well as getting out. … He’s always got his feet underneath his shoulders. He re-sets very quickly. He makes a lot of big throws when the rush initially makes him move off his normal throwing spot without leaving the pocket.”
(One thing I appreciate about Groh: No player assessment will ever be, “Kid’s got a rocket for an arm.”)
6. Wide receiver Tyler Melton has been playing his best football the past two or three games, Johnson said. Melton has seven catches in the past three games for 122 yards, including three for 54 yards against Duke. The seven receptions are more than he had in any of his first three seasons and as many receptions as he had in the first eight games of this season. He has also blocked particularly well over that stretch.
Johnson said he’s not making a concerted effort to get Melton the ball, “but when the ball’s gone his way, he’s made a couple of nice catches and come down with it.”
(Melton has shown some nice ability to adjust for passes. I have no idea what his draft stock is, but he’s shown plenty of other skills – namely blocking ability and special teams play. If he can keep up his pass catching, he’ll hopefully get a shot in somebody’s camp. Remember that Kevin Cone – who caught six passes last year – fought his way onto the Falcons practice squad.)
7. Tuesday, Johnson dismissed an Internet report that Mississippi had contacted representatives for Johnson regarding its coaching opening.
“I don’t know anything about it,” he said. “That stuff’s crazy.”
I want to thank the posters who have kept things clean and respectful, for the most part. I was very tempted to not post the notes on the blog, because this seems like a fire waiting to happen, but decided that you deserved a chance to comment on it. If the posts aren’t respectful, however, I’ve got no problem closing commenting, and probably for the rest of the week. Please don’t be the bad apple that spoils it for everyone.
Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
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422 comments Add your comment
Dwight Schrute
November 23rd, 2011
10:31 am
Tech’s pathetic football legacy 39-61.
All Cupcake Conference
November 23rd, 2011
10:32 am
When we compare ourselves to people like you, headley, how are we supposed to come to any other conclusion?
Good one.
@george stein
November 23rd, 2011
10:33 am
The differences are that UGA coaches are careful not to insult not only the fans of other teams, but also whole groups of disabled people.
DawginLex
November 23rd, 2011
10:34 am
T3
All you know is what you have heard.
The facts are strikingly different and will never be reported by someone like Pat Forde.
She had issues long before she started it.
Leave it at that.
gt4ever
November 23rd, 2011
10:35 am
T3,
There not interested in the Facts…. But I couldn’t have said it better…
Scrap
November 23rd, 2011
10:35 am
Great piece Ken, and thanks for the professional reporting we’ve enjoyed all season. You’ve done a great job of keeping us up on what’s happening at Tech. This is going to be another great game in a great rivalry. Roll Tide/War Eagle has absolutely nothing on this rivalry. It’s nothing but Clean Old Fashioned Hate, and this is the best week of the football season. Seriously, this should be a great game and the outcome is a tossup.
George Stein
November 23rd, 2011
10:36 am
I am tempted to say that Johnson couldn’t insult Georgia fans without insulting large groups of disabled people, but I’ll pass.
@gt4ever
November 23rd, 2011
10:37 am
I’m glad they teach english over at Tech, learn the difference between “there” “their” and “they’re”.
2011THWG!!
November 23rd, 2011
10:37 am
KEN,
Something to dig into is concerning UGAG’s back up running back, Thomas, that was suspended and now all of the sudden he is going to play. This is his 3rd offence and I thought St Richt told them last year three strikes and you’re gone. So what’s up? This kid is hypothetically suspended for the 3rd time and now it’s like it never happened.What has St Richt become in his desperate attempt to keep his job? That truly is sad! He has chose football over responsibility! Just saying!
@george stein
November 23rd, 2011
10:38 am
As a UGA student I’ll have to admit I did kinda open myself up to that one.
gt4ever
November 23rd, 2011
10:39 am
lol, thanks for the grammar lesson… My blessing has always been on the numbers side, sorry if I offended anyone, but you get the idea…
George Stein
November 23rd, 2011
10:40 am
It was a layup! I wouldn’t mean if I said it, though. Best of luck on your exams. Study hard.
@2011thwg
November 23rd, 2011
10:40 am
He was actually suspended, not hypothetically.
The circumstances surrounding his suspension are not known. You would not kick a tech player off the team for a missed academic appointment if they were still passing their classes, for all we know, that is what the 3rd suspension was for.
@george stein
November 23rd, 2011
10:41 am
Thanks!
Hope it’s a great game Saturday!
UGA93
November 23rd, 2011
10:42 am
Johnson used a poor choice of words, but really not a big deal since it was his show for Tech fans.
I like the passion of the GA/GT rivalry. It’s usually a close, hard fought game with good old fashioned hate!
Go Dawgs!
Have to admit- Hit a Single’s 8:51 made me chuckle.
“My Uncle said that all greeters are to greet in a 3 point stance and tackle anybody with GT clothes on.”
GTFan1
November 23rd, 2011
10:42 am
All Cupcake Conference
November 23rd, 2011
10:11 am
CPJ is a jerk and this just confirms it.
Using the word “retard” is never acceptable.
He should resign over this but because he coaches at the cesspool that is Tech it wont matter.
LOL!!!! He’s not a jerk, he is just honest!!!! And, apparently people can’t handle honesty. UGA is notthing bunch of band wagon fans. The only reason UGA is #1 is because they are in the SEC East which sucks!!!! The only teams worth anything in the SEC are LSU (which I can’t wait till they handle UGA) and Bama.
George Stein
November 23rd, 2011
10:43 am
If they are doing well in school, I can’t understand why anyone cares if they attend an academic appointment or study hall.
@george stein
November 23rd, 2011
10:43 am
Thanks!
I hope both teams play well Saturday!
The rules are rules
November 23rd, 2011
10:46 am
UGA’s team rules say that you have to go to academic appointments. If he missed it, for whatever reason, he could face suspension. It sounds stupid, but look what happened to Caleb King, among others. We don’t recruit scholars to play football, so we have to make sure they do well enough to stay in school and playing for us.
T3
November 23rd, 2011
10:47 am
@ dawginlex:
Jan Kemp received HUNDREDS of Death Threats over several years
and was bitterly demonzied from ALL corners of this state by all manner of trailer-trash
UGA fans, the AJC, State Representatives, Speaker of the House Tom Murphy,
Governor Joe Frank Harris, and the list goes on and on and on.
All I know is what I’ve heard? Really?
Have YOU actually READ the transcripts from the Federal Court on the case.
Of course you havent. I have. All 317 pages.
And just in case you need a simpler version, here it is:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1064531/index.htm
Like I said: This…is UGA’s PATHETIC & FACT-BASED legacy.
Tom
November 23rd, 2011
10:48 am
PJ shoulda’ just followed Eric Zeier’s lead when describing ugag fans and refereed to the caller as “…passionate, but not bright”. PC enough, imo.
George Stein
November 23rd, 2011
10:48 am
I guess so, Rules. Seems awfully silly though if they’re getting good grades.
dawgfan
November 23rd, 2011
10:49 am
Johnson was just being honest? Was that a joke? Tech pretends to turn its nose up to “sidewalk fans” but then runs huge ads in the AJC and elsewhere begging these same sidewalk fans to buy tickets to their football games. Johnson was being anything but honest. He knows damn well that his athletic department would kill to have the same kind of non-alumni SIDEWALK support that UGA gets. Why else would they run those ads Techies?
You clowns are a total joke. Honesty and Tech fan have never gone together in the same sentence.
1eyedJack
November 23rd, 2011
10:51 am
The rumor is Thomas had a girl in his room. Now, on the GT campus that could be considered a crime but UGA just considers it a violation of a team rule. 21 year old man with a woman in his room. Imagine that if you can.
all you dawgs are retarded
November 23rd, 2011
10:52 am
there i said it. its the truth. of course if you are a dawg an you use the word retarded than its ok cause your … your a dawg. and have an excuse for using that word.
George Stein
November 23rd, 2011
10:53 am
Crazy, 1eyedJack. Or a college kid smoking a little weed. Shocker!
Tom
November 23rd, 2011
10:54 am
“Georgia fans are passionate, but let’s face it – they’re not the brightest fans. Passionate, but not bright.” – Eric Zeier, November 21, 2001 on 790theZone
George Stein
November 23rd, 2011
10:54 am
We get it, dawgfan. You think we’re a joke. Anything else you want to add?
BigTimeTechFan
November 23rd, 2011
10:55 am
anyone going to the game Saturday, I’m not. wish I was
so 1eyedjack
November 23rd, 2011
10:55 am
so your saying your having a hard time imagining that eh? is that why you call your self 1eyedjack?
you enjoy playing with things that have only 1 eye? are you sure your not marcus the lawyer? my guess is he limits his fun to playing with 1 eyed things too but i assume that after seeing what a ‘real hunk a man’ he is. lmao
you dawgs slay me.
DawginLex
November 23rd, 2011
10:55 am
T3
You don’t know anything about me.
You sterotype me just like you do everyone else who isn’t a “Tech man”
There is a lot more to the story than will EVER get printed.
I wish for once you could post a blog comment without a personal attack, trailer park, Walmart comment.
I guess that makes you feel like a big man?
Whatever.
I don’t need you or anyone else telling me what I have and have not done, read or anything else in my life.
Enjoy your holiday
GTBob
November 23rd, 2011
10:56 am
Tech pretends to turn its nose up to “sidewalk fans”
How exactly has Tech done this?
DILLIGAF
November 23rd, 2011
10:56 am
George Stein:
“I am tempted to say that Johnson couldn’t insult Georgia fans without insulting large groups of disabled people, but I’ll pass”
You stated last night on another blog that you only post to talk football and not get involved in the namecalling and immature behavior. Sure. You keep on believing that. You’re nothing but another hypocite and a boring one at that.
George Stein
November 23rd, 2011
10:56 am
Wouldn’t miss it for the world, BTTF.
George Stein
November 23rd, 2011
10:57 am
I passed on the joke, retard.
GTFan1
November 23rd, 2011
10:59 am
dawgfan
November 23rd, 2011
10:49 am
Johnson was just being honest? Was that a joke? Tech pretends to turn its nose up to “sidewalk fans” but then runs huge ads in the AJC and elsewhere begging these same sidewalk fans to buy tickets to their football games. Johnson was being anything but honest. He knows damn well that his athletic department would kill to have the same kind of non-alumni SIDEWALK support that UGA gets. Why else would they run those ads Techies?
You clowns are a total joke. Honesty and Tech fan have never gone together in the same sentence.
LOL!!!! Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah!!! Same crap that comes out of you typical UGA fan’s mouth. Always thinking your team is the best, and etc. It’s easy to be a UGA fan. Just go to Wal-Mart and purchase any UGA merchandise, or put a G on your car. Your team is a joke in the SEC East, and dosen’t even compare to the talent the SEC has. At the beginning of the season your fans were ready to give up on your team, and give up on your coach. (This is the same crap every year) And, now its back on the band wagon. It’s the same typical band wagon crap!!!!
Old Dawg Fan
November 23rd, 2011
11:02 am
I am a Paul Johnson fan! I think he is a great coach, what he said-no apology needed in my book. The Hello/Hello then barking was uncalled for but let’s remember this is the Ga./Ga. Tech game.
As far as the “retarded comment”-probably not the most sensative statement but again-Johnson is a good buy-didn’t mean to hurt anyone nor any cause. This “political correctness” crap is really wearing thin. Now let’s have a great game and I hope we beat the “heck our of Tech” Just like Tech fans hope they beat the “heck” out of us. It is a football game-which by the way we lead in overall wins!!!
DawginLex
November 23rd, 2011
11:02 am
GTFan tells us to go to Walmart
And the beat goes on…………..
GTFan1
November 23rd, 2011
11:03 am
Old Dawg Fan
November 23rd, 2011
11:02 am
I am a Paul Johnson fan! I think he is a great coach, what he said-no apology needed in my book. The Hello/Hello then barking was uncalled for but let’s remember this is the Ga./Ga. Tech game.
As far as the “retarded comment”-probably not the most sensative statement but again-Johnson is a good buy-didn’t mean to hurt anyone nor any cause. This “political correctness” crap is really wearing thin. Now let’s have a great game and I hope we beat the “heck our of Tech” Just like Tech fans hope they beat the “heck” out of us. It is a football game-which by the way we lead in overall wins!!!
Thanks for being one of the only classy Dawgs fans on the boards!
GT FAN
November 23rd, 2011
11:03 am
How many of you guys slamming CPJ have ever usef the word retarded? Just STFU. All you ugag fans like to dish it out, but you can’t take it when it’s throw back at you. I am glad we finally have a coach with some passion. Really not that big of a deal. In todays society you can’t say anything without offending someone.
1eyedJack
November 23rd, 2011
11:03 am
George Stein
To be honest I don’t begrudge a college kid smoking a little weed now and then. Just not if your a football player and you signed a scholarship that undoubtedly had a clause in it strictly forbidding the smoking of said herb. I’m not sure if any schools scholarship precludes one from enjoying the company of a woman. Maybe not in his dorm or hotel room.
I’m not going to be hypocritical here. I’ve smoked weed and I’ve drank alcohol. I don’t drink anymore for medical reasons and because I don’t enjoy the after effects. However, during treatments for cancer I was encouraged by my doctor to take back up the wildwood weed and I credit it with helping me through a very stressful time.
hey daginlex
November 23rd, 2011
11:03 am
this whole blog was written because a uga fan could dish it out to our coach but couldn’t take it? AND your offended?
i just hope that cpj remembers those wily dawg players trash talking to him and the gt coaches last year of the year before that.
what kind of player…. what kind of team… what kind of coach allows his players to trash talk an opposing coach during a game. the same kind of program that does the things your fans do in your classrooms and in the library. 7 tons of trash anyone?
GTFan1
November 23rd, 2011
11:05 am
DawginLex
November 23rd, 2011
11:02 am
GTFan tells us to go to Walmart
And the beat goes on…………..
Well…..I am sick of hearing you UGA calling us sidewalk fans, you guys have a lot of them!!! I only know a couple that graduate UGA and they act nothing like the UGA fans on this board. The rest of the people that I know that are UGA fans are fake!!!
George Stein
November 23rd, 2011
11:06 am
Yeah, I don’t care if a kid smokes a little weed or has a girl in his room. They’re still 19 or 20 year holds. Doesn’t offend me at all.
DawginLex
November 23rd, 2011
11:08 am
DawginLex
November 23rd, 2011
9:49 am
Johnson shouldn’t have said it.
He apologized.
Move on.
I do appreciate Tech honoring Larry Munson at the game.
Amazing how death drops a lot of the barriers?
Gonna be a close game.
Don’t eat too much tomorrow.
Link Report this comment
Daginlex???
Someone needs to learn to read. Show me where I complained?
hey george
November 23rd, 2011
11:09 am
would you be offended if that girl was yo mama?
had to tell a yo mama joke somewhere in this blog. wouldnt be right not to.
George Stein
November 23rd, 2011
11:09 am
Enough people know you’re reasonable, Lex. I know I do.
George Stein
November 23rd, 2011
11:10 am
I am not sure I’d be offended so much as I’d question the player’s judgment, particularly when he has his pick of the litter in Athens.
DILLIGAF
November 23rd, 2011
11:14 am
George Stein:
“I passed on the joke, retard.”
Sure you did. Point proven.
Stay classy.
UGA/85′
GATA!
1eyedJack
November 23rd, 2011
11:15 am
That was imagery I can do without.