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.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,082 comments Add your comment
Jeff Schultz
November 2nd, 2009
2:23 pm
Folks, if you haven’t read Mike Golic’s comments yet, I just inserted them in the blog. Ouch.
Gatorzip74
November 2nd, 2009
2:23 pm
What’s really funny about all of this is watching all the DAWG fans getting stirred up. Maybe if they had showed this much emotion and support for their DAWGS on Saturday the results would’ve been closer. On second thought, no it wouldn’t have mattered.
Doug the Jacket
November 2nd, 2009
2:24 pm
More punishment – real punishment – is needed ot send a message. For example, Ted Davis – an All American at Georgia Tech – was kicked off the team by Coach Bobby Dodd for kicking an Auburn player (at the end of the play, on the sideline).
Old Fan
November 2nd, 2009
2:24 pm
We can’t put up with this stuff. This Spikes must be castrated immediately and all his private parts put on public display. Our Dawgs are delicate, after all. You can tell by the margins they lose by.
Biff Pocaroba
November 2nd, 2009
2:24 pm
Rural Meyer will get tired of Gainesville just like Spurrier did and leave for greener pastures. To imagine that he’ll have more wins than Paterno at 80 is some truly positive thinking. Now, back to baseball….anyone see Sugar Bear Blanks on here the other day?
Gatorzip74
November 2nd, 2009
2:26 pm
slimpickens
We don’t want to come to your state, except to win SEC championships! Going up there once a year is bad enough, why do you think we play the game down here?
Randy Clark
November 2nd, 2009
2:26 pm
I have to admit, I’m quite disappointed in Coach Meyer. I had expected a much more serious response than just a half-game suspension. I’ve always been a PROUD member of the Gator Nation, but this one embarrasses me.
Elliot Garcia
November 2nd, 2009
2:27 pm
Georgia fans are losers and always will be!
nerpel
November 2nd, 2009
2:27 pm
Spikes and Meyer are both pure trash. What an embarrassment to the SEC. No other coach in the conference would allow this thug to play in the following game after such a horrific and barbaric act.
Dear Rob Windham & Other Cheats
November 2nd, 2009
2:27 pm
Spikes is a “Captain” and yet doesn’t or can’t call the plays?
He must be coached by the same loser who tells the receivers to cheat also(e.g. pulling the jersey technique)
This team is a FRAUD and it’s a shame that the CBS announcers are Tossing Saled with the Gaytor Nation.
UGA ain’t perfect, but we do put a bunch in the Pro’s! Go F’N Figure!!
R.U.KIDDIN'MEE
November 2nd, 2009
2:28 pm
Would the punishment have been any different if he had,let’s say…..MASHED HIS ‘BALL’S'??!!
Cuz
November 2nd, 2009
2:28 pm
Let ye who is without penalties cast the first yellow flag.
St. Timothy of Gainesville.
uuugh...
November 2nd, 2009
2:28 pm
what a joke says “Hey Urban, what does rape get at UF? A quarter?”
Not even…they get somebody else not on the football team to kill her before a suspension can be levied. Then the football players use her CC the next year.
KingGator
November 2nd, 2009
2:29 pm
Mr. Schultz, did you report the “full” story, or only what you saw on a “youtube” video? I am gathering that the UGA players did nothing to prompt this act from Spikes? Maybe you should go back and take a few interviews from players and coaches, and then report a “follow-up” to this half-a-story. If Spikes had a reputation of doing stuff like this on a regular basis, then yes, it was a bad deal. But again, I suspect he was pushed over the line by some shenanigans that UGA was doing that did not get caught on everybody’s youtube.
For your next assignment, please get all the facts before jumping to conclusions.
AUBIE20
November 2nd, 2009
2:29 pm
YOU PEOPLE ARE INSANE………I CAN’T COMPREHEND WHY YOU WOULD WISH HARM ON A PLAYER.IF UGA WOULD HAVE WON,THERE WOULD BE NO WHINNING……SO ACCEPT THE FACT THAT THE DAWGS TOOK A “GOOD ASS-WHIPPING”….WAR EAGLE!
Skipper
November 2nd, 2009
2:29 pm
All this talk about class and it was UGA that got schooled.
It’s too bad Spikes made an error in judgment and I wish Urban would dole out a harsher penalty (though I’m 100% sure nothing would suffice for many here), but I’m not sure how this makes him a 42-year-old, crackhead gang-banger. He looks a little older than many college kids and he’s black, so I can see where many backward Georgia people might get a little confused.
THE "U"
November 2nd, 2009
2:29 pm
It looks like Meyer is bringing the “U” to Gainesville. Doing anything possible to win even if it includes playing thugs on your team.
G8RB8
November 2nd, 2009
2:30 pm
I’m shocked, SHOCKED I tell you, that such a thing would happen between two teams that hold each other in such high esteem. The Dawgs should be rewarded, herewith, a moral victory. (Please contact Coach Lane Kiffin- arriving by helicopter at a Georgia high school near you- for an explanation.)
GreatBigGator
November 2nd, 2009
2:30 pm
Quit crying babies – its been reviewed and it is done. We own you get used to it.
“The Southeastern Conference has reviewed and accepted the disciplinary actions taken by the University of Florida regarding football student-athlete Brandon Spikes. The university suspended Spikes for the first half of its next game (vs. Vanderbilt, Nov. 7) for an unsportsmanlike act during the Gators’ last game (vs. Georgia, Oct. 31).”
bull-gator
November 2nd, 2009
2:31 pm
He needs to be kicked off the team. That was a filthy, dirty, ugly display of unruly behavior on a football field I’ve ever witnessed. I’ve been bitten, hit, scratched, and pinched in a pileup. But never, ever had someone intentionally try to take away my eyesight. Spikes is a disgrace to himself, his family, his school and his sport. Football doesn’t need nor should it tolerate that type of thugish behavior.
Golic's da man!!!
November 2nd, 2009
2:31 pm
178% correct Mr. Golic. The gutless, classless Gators are pure trash. Spikes should be suspended for the rest of the season. Tebow should get hit in the head again for supporting such cowardice actions.
Gators = Nutless wonders
Paul's Johnson
November 2nd, 2009
2:32 pm
ckgator”
“The above is exactly why the Gators are the program everyone else is chasing.”
UF football program….24 arrests in 4 years. WoW! that’s pretty impressive.
Tebow Teabagger
November 2nd, 2009
2:33 pm
Please forgive Urban, he has his head up an arse.
17 for 20
November 2nd, 2009
2:33 pm
Enter your comments here
Oh the horror…gauging his eye out! trying to Blind Ealey! What a bunch of hypocritical sanctimonious cry babies. The self righteous indignation is on full display including the homer sports writers with agendas. From the looks of the responses it appears like we have a bunch of racist GA rednecks as well.
Where’s Ealey and why didn’t he make any comments after the game? He was interviewed by the Savannah paper about the back and forth with Spikes and interestingly enough NEVER mentions such a horrific act. Where was the medical attention? The reason why is he initiated the cheap shot(s) first only he didn’t get caught….the reality is and the bigger reason is UGA’s 4-4 and irrelevant. Better to make the number one team look bad…creates more interest you know?
Keep the hate coming UGA…17 out 20 and
uuugh...
November 2nd, 2009
2:34 pm
Not any more Cuz…he will no longer be canonized because of his recent “eye for an eye” rhetoric.
Flo-Ri-Duh!
November 2nd, 2009
2:35 pm
Gouging like Florida or chop blocking like Tech is just the way it is – especially for teams that the SEC and ACC want to win….. it’s all about money $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$……….. face reality Urban isn’t going to do anything about this – Spikes won’t be missed half a game against Vandy and needs the rest anyway. The SEC isn’t going to do anything about this – Florida owns them!
kwgadawg
November 2nd, 2009
2:36 pm
The FU GAY-TURDS as always.
Ga boy
November 2nd, 2009
2:37 pm
How interesting that all the Gators are stepping up to Defend their hero. Do you have any evidence that Spikes was gouged the whole game before this? Or are you taking his word alone for that?
I think it was a classless act and that he has become a thug. I suspect that he will get his big time one day in the next pond.
Jerry
November 2nd, 2009
2:38 pm
The play was chicken crap no matter the excuse
Flo-Ri-Duh!
November 2nd, 2009
2:38 pm
Personally I am hoping Bama finishes undefeated and does a bit of gouging of it’s own against the GaeTors. Criminals only respond to physical force and that is all they know – Spikes is a PUNK!
please
November 2nd, 2009
2:39 pm
ckgator,
AHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA you are a clown. Id like your beloved Brandon Spikes to try and gouge your eyes out and see how it feels. Urban will make sure he is at least suspended for 5 minutes against one of your tough out of conference opponents, is it the Citadel next year?
Flo-Ri-Duh!
November 2nd, 2009
2:39 pm
It will be interesting to see who the refs go with in the SEC game since Bama and Florida have been favored by the SEC so far……. my guess is that Saban will get the nod in this one.
Elliot Garcia
November 2nd, 2009
2:41 pm
This is what the rivalry is now down to after losing 17 of the last 20….A bunch of whiney crybabies!! I guess that is all Georgia has got left….probably no bowl this year….
betweenthehedges
November 2nd, 2009
2:41 pm
Who has more class? Chip Kelly suspended LeGarrette Blount for the whole season after a sucker punch. Urban Meyer suspends Brandon Spikes for a half. In my mind, a sucker punch and an eye gouge are in the same family of pain intended retaliation. While a sucker punch is horrible, an eye gouge can cause more long term damage. As seen, both coaches took action to their players’ incidents but who’s judgment is more appropriate for suspensions? I tip my cap to Chip Kelly.
uuugh...
November 2nd, 2009
2:41 pm
GreatBigGator…Suprise! The SEC and their officials have been complicit in ignoring Florida’s blatent disregard for the rules for several years now. The SEC makes a bunch of money when the Gators play in BCS bowl games…so why should they risk Florida being upset the remainder of the year…jeopardizing that big payday?
Way to go SEC!
Ga boy
November 2nd, 2009
2:42 pm
Interesting that all the Gators are jumping on here to defend their hero, Of course you do have some proof that Spikes was indeed gouged for the whole game before he retaliated -right? Right? I mean other than his word for it right? Yeah I thought so. It was a classless act and he has become nothing but a thug- a thug!!! A half game suspension is nothing short of a joke both for UF and the SEC. A complete joke. Why not make him write 500 times on the blackboard- I will not try and blind another player again!!!I suspect he will get his one day in the next pond before too long.
Elliot Garcia
November 2nd, 2009
2:43 pm
Hey Please! Check Georgia’s out of conference schedule 2011. You are playing Coastal Carolina! Pot meet kettle!!
Darius
November 2nd, 2009
2:43 pm
UPDATE – Jeff is still coming across as a whiny little girl.
Lindsey
November 2nd, 2009
2:44 pm
Brandon Spikes…The Pride of the Sunshine State
Hey UGA
November 2nd, 2009
2:44 pm
man the F up!
if your pitcher gets drilled by a fastball, or your SS gets spiked, you retaliate. Same goes in football.
losing 17 of 20 tells me that your program is soft and UF doesn’t respect you (or your unsportsmanlike celebrations)
Elliot Garcia
November 2nd, 2009
2:45 pm
If it is not on video, it didn’t happen….right Ga boy!
Paul's Johnson
November 2nd, 2009
2:45 pm
It’s pretty funny to read all of the posts by Gaytor fans, half of which did’nt even graduate high school. Why don’t you do something productive like get off of your useless a..es and ride your bicycles down to the unemployment offices and make an attempt to find a job so that hardworking taxpayers won’t have to pay for your subsidized housing and Comcast bills. (only reason you have internet in the first place.
Why are you loser idiots on a GA blog anyway? I guess it’s no fun being on a GAYTOR blog and extolling the greatness of Teblow and all that is GAYTOR football.
I guess you’re just pissed about having to live in that cesspool of a state that you have to call home.
It’s Good to be a Georgia Bulldog! Go to hell Florida!
Derwood
November 2nd, 2009
2:46 pm
Urban and University of Fla are a bunch of winning but with out any class what so ever. Myers will do what ever it takes to win. He would even trade his first grand child for a win. If I were a big alumni from U of Fl I would pull all my support as long as Meyers was coach. Mr. Urban Meyers, please squat when you pee.
Jan Kemp
November 2nd, 2009
2:46 pm
I am just glad Georgia finally has players who can read and write.
CBS sucks
November 2nd, 2009
2:46 pm
How much do you want to bet next year CBS will continue to STILL only talk about the TD celebration from 2007, yet again. While completely ignoring the tacky Meyer timeouts from 2008 and the thug Spikes eye gouge from this year.
ReptilesRule
November 2nd, 2009
2:46 pm
Golic is a Domer who has no love for the Gators. He is also only reacting to a video clip without taking the entire game situation into perspective. I am sure he would have some choice words on some Georgia players as well.
SW Florida
November 2nd, 2009
2:47 pm
Damn people. MMA doesn’t even allow eye gouging. MMA fighters would kick his punk a$$. Spikes should be suspended for the season. No questions asked. He’s not an athlete, he’s a thug.
Elliot Garcia
November 2nd, 2009
2:47 pm
Chip Kelly is going to smack you dirty dawgs next year anyway! have you checked your schedule?
Resentful Community Organizer
November 2nd, 2009
2:47 pm
Brandon Spikes and I registered voters together in the offseason. He’s a wonderful human being and signed up more dead people than even Michelle! And, he even beat up some middle class white kids and stole their cooler. I thought that was cool.
FlDawg
November 2nd, 2009
2:47 pm
For Idiot garcia and Urban Meyer, every photo i ve seen of Spikes for the last 3 years he has worn a plastic face shield, so when he was poked i guess the we were able to put fingers thru the plastic. Florida has a great team and deserved to win, but florida fans are the most uneducated fans in the country. What spikes did was horrible and there is no excuse and if he was poked after his helmet came off, then maybe he should get a helmet that fits better, my team lost on sat., i tip my hat to uf, but for anyone to make excuses for that s*** is a joke, show some class uf!