Meyer goes soft on Spikes with half-game suspension
Urban Meyer just took, "Stand by your man," a little too far.
Florida coach Urban Meyer’s apparent policy on eye-gouging is now clear. Only a successful blinding or maiming can result in a full-game suspension.
Meyer suspended Brandon Spikes for only the first half of the Gators’ next game against Vanderbilt for eye-gouging Georgia running back Washaun Ealey.
I’m not sure if missing one half of a Vanderbilt game really qualifies as discipline. But apparently SEC commissioner Mike Slive didn’t want to get in Meyer’s way on this one. I guess Slive only worries about the real serious issues: sound bites about referees, not trivial matters like jamming fingers into eyeballs.
What happened Saturday certainly did not affect the outcome of Georgia’s 41-17 loss to Florida. The Bulldogs themselves have devolved into one of the nation’s most-penalized and least-disciplined teams. Meyer felt compelled to say the linebacker was retaliating for earlier incidents that resulted in him having his helmet knocked off and being poked in the eye (he said).
But Spikes’ act was on another level.
“I don’t condone that,” Meyer told reporters in Florida. “I understand what goes on on the football [field], but there’s no place for that. We’re going to suspend Brandon for the first half of the Vanderbilt game. I spoke with him. That’s not who he is. That’s not who we are. He got caught up in emotion.”
Ealey was not available for comment Monday. It was a day off for Georgia players (the NCAA mandates one day off per week for players). Coach Mark Richt declined comment on the incident Sunday night.
But that didn’t stop this from snowballing into a national story Monday. The strongest comments came from Mike Golic, co-host of ESPN’s morning, “Mike and Mike” radio show. Golic has some credibility. He was a defensive lineman at Notre Dame and an eight-year NFL veteran. He has been at the bottom of a few of these piles. So what does it mean when he calls this, “one of the biggest chicken-bleep things I’ve seen in my life”?
And what does it mean when he says it was worse than when Oregon’s LeGarrette Blount punched Boise State’s Byron Hout in the season opener? (Blount initially was suspended for the full season by Oregon. But several weeks later the school announced a tentative reinstatement, and he may return this week against Stanford.)
“You can clearly see Brandon Spikes’ fingers go into the facemask of the running back for Georgia, and, I don’t mean just go in there — go in there and twist around,” Golic said. “It is a bad looking eye-gouge. And I know this guy is a tough player and I know he hits and I know he’s considered one of the best linebackers. But that’s one of the biggest chicken-bleep things I’ve seen in my life. Ever. Ever! To be that good of a player and have to do that – stick your fingers in a facemask and try to blind a guy, eye-gouge him, is pathetic, Brandon! Pathetic, that you would do it!
“There needs to be some disciplinary action. Everybody wants to talk about LeGarrette Blount from Oregon for punching that kid. I’ll tell you what. I’ll take the punch over this garbage. Any day of the week. Any day of the week over that garbage on the field of sticking your fingers in somebody’s facemask and trying to blind him. Stick your fingers in their eye? Are you kidding me…?”
Golic later said: “What a horrible move that is. What a classless, unsportsmanlike move that is.”
Meyer said his wife and defensive coordinator Charlie Strong both mentioned the Spikes’ incident to him. His initial reaction was to move on. Then he saw a replay of the incident decided to speak to Spikes about it.
But his initial balking indicates he didn’t want to suspend Spikes at all.
“Very emotional things happened in that game in particular that were not good for either side,” Meyer said, “but the bottom line is we’re Florida and he’s Brandon Spikes and we expect certain things.”
Nice speech. But it would’ve meant more if there was some action to back it up.
If you haven’t seen video of the play, you can view it here.
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1,082 comments Add your comment
Richard Seymour
November 2nd, 2009
4:45 pm
Coach Garner taught me everything I know about how to pull hair.
Dr. Phil
November 2nd, 2009
4:45 pm
Why is it that one guy named for a Pope and another guy who thinks he’s a Pope, field two of the dirtiest teams in college football?
DantheMan's boss
November 2nd, 2009
4:45 pm
Dan! Fries!!
Tom in ATL
November 2nd, 2009
4:45 pm
Newsflash – Florida is classless. I love the justifications:
Tebow got hit late: I’ve heard it was “10 seconds” after the play – go check the timer it was 1.4 seconds after Tebow handed the ball off. Was it a late hit – technically yes. And should have drawn a penalty. It is not even in the same universe as trying to blind someone who is pinned by 900 lbs of people and cant defend himself.
Also love the “Brandon was just getting back at UGA for what they did to him”. A joke of an arguement. 3rd play of game – UGA is flagged for illegal motion, as they often are, and whistles blow play dead. Everyone stops – except Spikes – who continues and forearms Ealey to the head and runs his mouth – Ealey pushes him off of him – and SPIKES takes a swing. No flag – nothing.
The play Spikes has “his helmet ripped off” – he is playing with his chinstrap unbuttoned, (another penalty uncalled) and it literally falls off and he does a Lambeer type flop – drawing the 15 yard penatly on UGA and ending their first drive. No one ripped his helmet off – the idiot doesnt buckle his chinstrap.
I get it – UF is the better team and has been for 20 years. I thought Gamble’s facemask on the opening kick was stupid and dangerous – he got flagged for it. The late hit on GIlliam out of bounds was a continuation play, should have never been called. Price Miller not helping Tebow up – Ok – bad sportsmanship – but not that unusual. NONE of this comes even remotely close to the Criminal actions of Brandon Spikes – and no it doesnt happen on every play by everybody – live with it UF – you win becuase you win at all costs – even letting sub human criminals be a part of that fine Gator tradition.
SEC RULES COMMITTEE
November 2nd, 2009
4:46 pm
We feel that since student athlete Brandon Spikes was only able to gouge one eye of the Georgia player, a one half suspension against Vanderbilt is the appropriate sanction.
Note to Georgia fans: When trying to read the above satire you may want to observe the correct grammar and spelling used.
GO GATORS!
Ranger73
November 2nd, 2009
4:46 pm
oh that was reallllll punishment …a half a game against Vandy? you got to be kidding….he could sit out 3 games with vandy and florida still win….so to me thats a break not punishment
New Taco Bell Ad
November 2nd, 2009
4:46 pm
Black pants….black helmets…..black gouged out eyes….black taco…..
Jim
November 2nd, 2009
4:47 pm
Spikes is just another ape that fell out of tree and acts like they act. Should anyone be surprised?
Herschel Walker
November 2nd, 2009
4:47 pm
Herschel Walker love him some tacos.
John
November 2nd, 2009
4:48 pm
I cant believe the trashy way the Georgia fans were acting at the landing. How classless.
squat
November 2nd, 2009
4:48 pm
spikes sux and his mama blows but he don’t know who his daddy is……………………………..
Vicks Vapor
November 2nd, 2009
4:48 pm
did Ealy or whatever the guy’s name is even get gouged? He didn’t say a thing about it after the game.
DantheMan
November 2nd, 2009
4:48 pm
“…..AND THIS THUG IS SUPPOSED TO BE GETTING AN EDUCATION AT THE UF.WHAT A JOKE!!!!!!” Yeah, maybe there should be some checking into Florida’s academics because you know an idiot like Spikes has gotta be getting some help or maybe he threatens to poke the Prof’s eyes out unless he gets an A!!!
Very Classless
November 2nd, 2009
4:49 pm
Glad that Ealey is O.K. Spikes is as classless as they come.
Big Dawg
November 2nd, 2009
4:49 pm
First this kind of play by anyone trying to deliberately hurt another player has no part in football and if Tebow and Spikes were deliberately gouged in the eye then the Georgia player(s) should be suspended for the rest of the year as well. Next the cheap shots were actually started by Spikes on Georgia’s first possesion when after a dead ball foul was called on Georgia he hit Ealey helmet to helmet. Also later on he took Ealey’s helmet off on a tackle as well that is when Georgia started retaliating which they shouldn’t have. So to say Georgia was getting their just reward is totally uncalled for and shows just how classless some of you truely are. I also find it curious that the officials called at least 4 personal fouls on Georgia but only one on Florida. The ironic part IMHO is that quite honestly Florida was the better team this past Saturday and it showed.
Just like several people on this blog have suggested Georgia’s coaching staff should be spending their time on fixing the obvious holes in this team which starts with lack of coaching and poor play at QB.
GMan
November 2nd, 2009
4:49 pm
Spikes has issued a formal apology today – go find it and read it. Now can everyone, including Jeff, get a life?!
Will
November 2nd, 2009
4:50 pm
Jim- what do you mean?
St.Nick
November 2nd, 2009
4:50 pm
Great win there, UF. We’re waiting for you. Let’s see you try that eye poking stuff on our team. We dare you. ‘Bama 31 – UF 9.
Crank
November 2nd, 2009
4:50 pm
Hank
The things you do for family.
Ealy's Eyes
November 2nd, 2009
4:50 pm
Dawg fans – I just want to let you know that I am fine. Nothing to worry about. But, damn! You guys are a bunch of whiny wusses!
Ranger73
November 2nd, 2009
4:50 pm
Looks like Slive has his nose up his #1 boy’s *** in the SEC rofl
Cindy Walker
November 2nd, 2009
4:50 pm
You stay away from those black tacos Herschel Walker.
Ted
November 2nd, 2009
4:51 pm
The Gators rule
RedeyeDawg
November 2nd, 2009
4:51 pm
Reptile Rule and Gatorzip74 and loco. Regardless of anyone hitting Spikes legally, and it happened, there is no justification for his jamming and gouging in Ealy’s face. Are you real? This is an 18 or 19 year old innocent kid who was not in a position to defend himself. I say Spikes should be suspended for the rest of his college career. This is a college sport, not war combat! This could have blinded a guy – - is that what you idiots call fair? If a player wants to retaliate, then hit the guy who knocked his helmet off – - not someone who can’t get a hand free to defend himself. Shame on Spikes and if you think it’s OK, then shame on you. If the President of Univ of Fla had guts, he would demand a suspension.
Bear Bryant
November 2nd, 2009
4:52 pm
Make milkshakes bring the boys to the yard, imo
Ealy's Elbows
November 2nd, 2009
4:52 pm
Did you guys see the hits I was throwing around out there after the plays were over? I was knocking Gators left and right.
dawgfan13
November 2nd, 2009
4:52 pm
While I dont condone Brandon’s actions, Georgia needs to get off their asses and man up. It is clear to me that Georgia is afraid of Florida as soon as they step on the field you can tell that the Georgia players are scared., We get our azzes kicked ini the game, we get punked on the field by a 30 year old thugg, we get out coached by a liar azzhole, it’s totally embarrassing to be a UGA fan this year! Now Richt comes out and support a QB who has thrown multiple interceptions in every game this year. I am totally floored at this program. Our other QB’s must be awful. This will end ugly when GTech rack up almost 500 rushing yards against us and we miss the bowl season. I just dont understand anything the Georgia coaches are doing.The players cant be behind Cox, there is some division ini that locker room. I am so disappointed in Richt. I actually wish this guy would step down and we start over fresh.
Ranger73
November 2nd, 2009
4:52 pm
just goes to show our number 1 and 2 team fans have no manners and I am not sure any of them know thier daddy.
Charles Barkley
November 2nd, 2009
4:53 pm
You UGA fans is juss turrble.
PonPJ
November 2nd, 2009
4:53 pm
As a GHSA official, this is mandatory expulsion. If I had seen this in a game, the player would be out two games, minimum. I totally agree with Golic on this one. When I first saw it, my initial reaction is that this is worse than the Blount thing. This is criminal! But THE MOST CRIMINAL ASPECT OF IT ALL is that the SEC Commissioner has done nothing! What does that say? I’ll tell you what it says. It says the PAC 10 commish has more integrity than the SEC commish.
I’m not surprised that Meyer has done nothing…Spikes’ action is only a reflection of Meyer’s attitude toward UGA and contempt for Mark Richt. Spikes is just mirroring some of the classless, tasteless contumacious actions of his coach. However, the SEC commish is sending the wrong message by not suspending Spikes for at least two weeks, if not for the rest of the year including the BOWL game.
Gator Honky
November 2nd, 2009
4:53 pm
I starch my jorts with tears flowing from gouged bulldawg eyes.
See you in jacksonville next year, mut puppies. Bring money!
Bulldog Bob
November 2nd, 2009
4:53 pm
There is no love loss in this game. We hate the gaturds and they hate us. However, trying to intentionally injure a player’s eyesight is thuggish and should not be tolerated. Mike Slive should definitely suspend this thug for the rest of the season. No worries! He will fit in nicely with the Oakland Raiders and their thug mentality.
Herschel Walker
November 2nd, 2009
4:53 pm
Do not worry Cindy, I will not be eating any black tacos. I prefer a nice tossed salad with dingleberries.
Afternoon links: Jones living in the glare | GameDay Weekly
November 2nd, 2009
4:53 pm
[...] Schultz of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution says Meyer went soft on Spikes with only a half-game suspension for the Vanderbilt [...]
ckgator
November 2nd, 2009
4:54 pm
Paul’s Johnson – I was the same kid, only on the Florida side. You really need to keep things in perspective. It’s just a game, and will not change your life one way or the other.
I love my team, but win, lose, or draw – I still have the same responsibilities and a freaking mortgage to pay.
Repeat after me… “There is nothing Willie Martinez will or will not do, that will outweigh what I will or will not do for myself.”
Now say that 100 times and go look on eBay for a deal on black Georgia helmets.
G O G A T O R S!
Jim the Racist
November 2nd, 2009
4:54 pm
what’s happening over here fellas?
Georgia Admissions Office
November 2nd, 2009
4:54 pm
How we gon git de bes playas iffen yu keeps talkin bout deukatshun?
Get Real
November 2nd, 2009
4:54 pm
If he was suspended for the whole game, people would be complaining about why he wasn’t suspended for two. If two, why not three? We all know about the public suspension for half of a game but nobody knows about the internal consequences that are being taken care of by the coach. So for all of you whiners out there, calm down.
old dawg
November 2nd, 2009
4:54 pm
Spikes likes to play with his helmet single strapped…why? not sure…maybe so we can all see just how pretty he and his dreads are…both teams will commit fouls,talk smack and fight a little…Spikes just got caught on camera…
grrrrtrfan
November 2nd, 2009
4:55 pm
Soft? Seems the SEC recognizes this as sufficient…PLEASE say something publicly…ANYONE from the program…
Lee
November 2nd, 2009
4:55 pm
“He’s going to get a brick out front,” Meyer said. “Forever when you walk out of the stadium you’ll see Brandon Spikes’ name.”
You really think Meyer was going to do anything of substance to Spikes?
Get real.
Charles Barkley
November 2nd, 2009
4:55 pm
Juss turrble turrble fans
St.Nick
November 2nd, 2009
4:55 pm
For crying out loud, his name is EALEY- Ealey. Got it? It has two ‘e’s in it. WTF??
Georgia Admissions Office
November 2nd, 2009
4:55 pm
We be talkin bout how dem Gators is unedukated.
Joe N
November 2nd, 2009
4:56 pm
For all the cur hyopcrites (this is obviously needed on each page, since the homer columnist won’t address it): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cERuyek02wA
GMan
November 2nd, 2009
4:56 pm
The SEC has issued a statement, punishment has been given, and Spikes has aplogized. Done…over.
Will
November 2nd, 2009
4:57 pm
Spikes has apologized- an apology is worth 25 points and 100 Schrute bucks!!!!!
ckgator
November 2nd, 2009
4:57 pm
BAHAHA! Get yours today:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Georgia-Bulldogs-Black-Game-Football-Helmet_W0QQitemZ230394314083QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_SM_Fan_Shop?hash=item35a4923d63
Anonymous
November 2nd, 2009
4:57 pm
Jim: THAT’S RACIST!
Gdawg
November 2nd, 2009
4:58 pm
Imagine how Spikes will mistreat his fellow inmates when he ends up in prison! He will be lord of the shower.
Imagine how proud GatorNation will be then.