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
Gatorbait
November 2nd, 2009
2:05 pm
Hey at least it give something for Jeff to write about and UGA fans to whine about. The real thing Jeff should be writing about is Tenn Tech- can they upset UGA????????
Cuz
November 2nd, 2009
2:05 pm
Is it Brandon’s fault that they don’t make a helmet big enough for his head?
Tim Tebow
November 2nd, 2009
2:06 pm
No more posts from me…i need to go circumsize some little boy named Brandon
what a joke
November 2nd, 2009
2:06 pm
Hey Urban, what does rape get at UF? A quarter?
G8rGrowler
November 2nd, 2009
2:06 pm
Spikes must have gotten to Cox, and that’s why he threw all those picks, huh?
UGASlobberknocker
November 2nd, 2009
2:06 pm
To Joe above who in his comments wished injury on Spikes..
You cant be serious. Its OK to hate the Gators collectively, but not individually. I hope the Gator fans on this blog realize your no class comments are not indicative of 98% of Dawg fans.
Also I am fairly certain the good Lord doesnt appreciate prayers asking for harm to someone else..in fact, St Peter just shifted you toh “questionable” file at the pearly gates.
DawgGirl32
November 2nd, 2009
2:06 pm
The truth of the matter is that fans from all around the country are appalled by Spikes’ actions. Not just Georgia fans. In fact, the only people I’ve heard condone what he did or try and justify it were Florida fans. Big surprise there. A half a game suspension is just Meyer’s way of laughing in everyone’s faces. What might even be worse was Tebow’s reaction: “We didn’t do anything to them that they didn’t do to us.” Wow. That says it all right there. ESPN analyst Bruce Feldman interviewed a NFL back today who said that he had never seen anything like what Spikes had done in all the years he has been in the NFL.
Walbash O'hoolihan
November 2nd, 2009
2:06 pm
I think its a requirement at UF to be giant dousche bag.
Tech Tony
November 2nd, 2009
2:06 pm
A half against Vandy? That’s ALL???
Sounds almost as if St. Richt decided that punishment.
uuugh...
November 2nd, 2009
2:07 pm
If the refs would have called Spikes for his uncalled unsportsmanlike penalty on his initial Knowshon tackle in last year’s game…maybe he would have never tried this. He hits late whenever he is not directly involved in the in the play. He just knows, like the rest of us know, that Florida is held to a different standard by the Referees in the SEC. Good for them.
Now, before the super arrogant gator fans with their huge sense of entitlement start crying…We deserved to lose on Saturday because our sorry coaches can’t get our thugs to play as good as your good coaches get your thugs to play…and our sorry coaches let them go swimming and wear whatever uniforms they want too.
I also read that Spikes wanted to blind Ealey becaus somebody pulled his hair. Well if you don’t like your hair pulled get it cut.
Every football player with that awful long hair deserves to have their hair pulled if they are dumb enough to grow it out like that.
Remember when Marcus Vick stepped on that guy? That embarassed VT and they took a stand. Meyer, on the other hand, probably suspended Spikes for getting caught by the cameras–not for trying to hurt somebody.
Gradulations Corch Meyers.
scalded dog
November 2nd, 2009
2:07 pm
Did this surprise anyone? I guess had he also discharged an AK-47 in public he might have gotten a full game suspension.
But Meyer wins big games, right?
Gatorzip74
November 2nd, 2009
2:08 pm
Attention All Gators: Poll question of the day
Who do you want to see stick around longer for their annual beatdown?
A. Bobby Bowden
B. Mark Richt
A real player
November 2nd, 2009
2:09 pm
He was wrong for what he did and regardless of what happened, there should not be any excuse to why he was suspended or why his retaliated. The truth of the matter is you take the punishment if you are man enough to commit the offense. Everyone has an excuse when it comes to the top player if it was someone low on the depth chart he would be out the whole game because he does not matter. Let see what happens when he reaches adult status and the college coach can’t protect him.
Darrin "The Vent King"
November 2nd, 2009
2:09 pm
Yeah, just because none of those Dawgs were caught on camera doesn’t mean there wasn’t something done from the other side that caused Spikes to do that. Don’t front JS, you KNOW it happened. The bias spewing from this article is embarrassing. True what Spikes did was awful, but it was retaliation and you know it. Why doesn’t Richt man up, find out which of his players it was, then you can talk.
fence
November 2nd, 2009
2:09 pm
Is there such a thing as a classy Gator fan? Their base is made up of inbred, northern Florida hicks that are stuck in 1991. Their players are violent criminals that can’t even speak English. This is shameful. I’m sad for the SEC.
Roadrunner
November 2nd, 2009
2:09 pm
Is anyone really expecting either class & good sportsmanship from UF or equal treatment from the SEC as it applies to one of their premier programs? Seriously?
scalded dog
November 2nd, 2009
2:10 pm
tim
November 2nd, 2009
2:07 pm
Wow everybody, check out the tough keyboard kowboy!!
Gator Fan
November 2nd, 2009
2:10 pm
I wonder if all the AJC writers have distracted the Bulldog fans with the one dirty play from spikes who by the way was immaturely retaliating for getting eye gouged and elbowed in the throat by Ealey. I guess they have distracted the dog fans from remembering that they are 4-4, might get the luxury of playing in shreveport, and will be pushing it not to lose to Tennessee, Florida, Auburn and Tech in the same year. Joe cox just threw another INT. Good job writers, haha the only thing you can discuss in UGA football is a Florida Player. 41-17…Just like last year, and that was a cute celebration after you got within 4, its like celebrating mediocrity.
Employed in the ACC
November 2nd, 2009
2:11 pm
Geez, one hour after the article is posted and there is already 100+ comments!
Get A Job SEC Grads!
Before the replies, I’m still a co-oping student who makes more than half of you, so I don’t have to worry about meandering around the internet every now and again.
Iggy
November 2nd, 2009
2:11 pm
Spikes is a thug, just 70% of the other players UF has had over the years. They’re all trash, just like their fans
Darrin "The Vent King"
November 2nd, 2009
2:11 pm
Yeah, just because none of those Dawgs were caught on camera doesn’t mean there wasn’t something done from the other side that caused Spikes to do that. Don’t front JS, you KNOW it happened. The bias spewing from this article is embarrassing. True what Spikes did was awful, but it was retaliation and you know it. Any of you that think Spikes just went crazy and actually did that for hell of doing it are beyond dumb. I’ll type it again for any of you geniuses that missed it the first time- just cause it wasn’t on film doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. Why doesn’t Richt man up, find out which of his players it was, then you can talk.
Mark C.
November 2nd, 2009
2:12 pm
Even Rick Flair thought that was a scumbag move…
scalded dog
November 2nd, 2009
2:12 pm
Darrin “The Vent King”
November 2nd, 2009
2:09 pm
He retaliated becauce his hair was pulled? It bothered him that much?Hmm, guess he should have bitch slapped someone rather than gouge their eyes. Just sayin..
richtfan
November 2nd, 2009
2:13 pm
unfortunately spikes is being allowed to be what he is–a piece of trash. meyer and his ilk are pathetic.
gatorman770
November 2nd, 2009
2:13 pm
If Richt doesn’t address all the unsportsman like thuggery exhibited continously during the game by his curs, he’s a lowlife POS. It’s as if the curdawgs spent their week off practicing late hits, spearing, helmet tackling, helmet ripping off, eye-gouging, poop talking, etc. instead of working on their defensive and offensive problems.
I don’t condone Spikes unsportsman like retaliation after having his eyes gouged, helmet ripped off, etc., but I don’t thinks any more punishment is warranted especially after the thuggess way the dawgs played the whole game.
Cuz
November 2nd, 2009
2:14 pm
I also heard that Brandon will not be allowed Ice Cream with his pie all week.
uuugh...
November 2nd, 2009
2:14 pm
DawgGirl32…“We didn’t do anything to them that they didn’t do to us.”
Did Tebow really say that!? Oh man…that is about as far from the “Turn the other cheek” doctrine from the New Testament as you can get! Somebody needs to tell his old man God.
Any word on whether or not his eye black burst into flames when the ‘holiest of holies’ Tim Tebow uttered those words?
What a hipocrite that douche bag is.
Gatorbait
November 2nd, 2009
2:15 pm
Hey at least UGA fans can complain about something other than their own players and coaches. Enjoy watching all of the BCS bowls once again.
Employed in the ACC
November 2nd, 2009
2:15 pm
When does lacrosse season start? We’re not called the Ain’t Competitive Conference in football for nothing!
korg
November 2nd, 2009
2:15 pm
Meyer is equally as trashy as Spikes. Both should be suspended. Spikes for being the fatherless idiotic thug that he is, and Meyer for recruiting and playing such garbage.
Cuz
November 2nd, 2009
2:15 pm
No sprinkles either.
Darius
November 2nd, 2009
2:15 pm
Breaking News! UGA Fans Demand That SEC Suspend Major Wright for Hitting AJ Green Too Hard
http://www.ajc.com/sports/uga/a-j-green-won-183330.html
Moe in Albany
November 2nd, 2009
2:16 pm
“it happens all the time”…blah, blah, blah. Spikes is classless and Meyer is a wimp. Spikes should be gone for at least two games. SEC are you listening?
Gatorbait
November 2nd, 2009
2:16 pm
This just in – Richt is posting this incident in the locker room and using it as MOTIVATION for NEXT YEARS Game. UGA should win next year with this great gimmick by Richt.
Inmate #0824839 (NC DOC)
November 2nd, 2009
2:16 pm
Keep up the good work little brother, just like I taught you. Don’t listen to these fools.
Your big brother,
Breyon a/k/a #0824839
bluegrass dog
November 2nd, 2009
2:17 pm
Blount hit a player who was on his feet and could fight back. Spikes was on top of a down player and jamming his fingers into his eyes. 7 games vs a half against Vandy?! Is Slive going to let this go as well? I wish Bobby Johnson would issue all of his players this week.
Jeff Schultz+ Bill King + Tony Barnfart= Georgia always over rated
November 2nd, 2009
2:17 pm
AJC RAG! Beat a dead horse Jeff. It’s done, get over it. Your boys from Georgia not angels either.Junk like This is one reason I did not renew my subscription to the AJC in 09. When I told the AJC operator the reason why?, my reply was worthless articles by JeffSchultz, Tony Barnfart and Bill King is a joke, her reply was ” not the first time I been told that.” .. start writing something worth while to read or AJC dump those clowns, I’ll go back being a customer.
Cuz
November 2nd, 2009
2:17 pm
Find which Dawg dared to try and hurt St. Timothy. The Pope will excommunicate them.
the real Old Gold
November 2nd, 2009
2:18 pm
Kinda of like how an arrest doesn’t get you even a quarter suspension at UGA?
Gator Growl
November 2nd, 2009
2:18 pm
Funny, a few weeks ago DawgNation was trying to lecture Urban Meyer on how to treat Tebow’s concussion (by sitting him out “indefinitely”) and now they want to tell Meyer how to discipline his players. And just like before, they will be wrong.
lambdely
November 2nd, 2009
2:18 pm
Gators are pure trash just like their inbred fans. Spikes should be locked up with the rest of his family
Doug the Jacket
November 2nd, 2009
2:19 pm
Not enough punishment – 1/2 game????
Big Albany Dawg
November 2nd, 2009
2:19 pm
I think that is really Kimbo Slice standing next to Meyer. Perhaps he was confused and trying to use his MMA skills. Oh, wait a minute… eye gouging is not allowed in MMA…..
Darius
November 2nd, 2009
2:19 pm
More Breaking News … Richt Sends Letter to SEC Requesting That Florida Wear Pink Tutus When They Play UGA.
georgiadawg1970
November 2nd, 2009
2:19 pm
Dancing in the endzone and acting silly is not the same as trying to gouge someone’s eyes out. There is a difference from being silly and a hoodrat.
ckgator
November 2nd, 2009
2:20 pm
“I don’t condone (what Spikes did),” Meyer said at his weekly news conference. “There’s no place on the field for that. We’re going to suspend him for the first half of the Vanderbilt game. That’s not him. But we love Brandon Spikes and the team is going to support him.”
-Completely appropriate. If Richt does not suspend Davis and Ealey for what they did, you will see more of the same, Dog fans. The above is exactly why the Gators are the program everyone else is chasing.
Darius
November 2nd, 2009
2:20 pm
Dawg fans labeling other fanbases as “inbred” … that is rich.
slimpickens
November 2nd, 2009
2:21 pm
What can you expect from a state of Yankee transplants. Do all of us a favor and stay in Florida, we don’t want you in our state!!!
ReptilesRule
November 2nd, 2009
2:22 pm
This will be a GREAT motivation gimmick for Richt in next years game…Maybe they will come out with black helmets, black pants and black and red goggles!!!
Jake
November 2nd, 2009
2:23 pm
I looked the play that Spikes claims his eye was raked/gouged. It looks like his helmet is knocked off in a collision with the fullback then a lineman comes into his unprotected face with a helmet. He holds the side of his face for a minute then as he gets to the trainers they look at his eye. Hardly an intention to harm. But regardless the Dawgs lost the moral high ground with their own dirty plays.