SEC should consider suspending Florida’s Spikes
This shouldn’t distract from the fact Georgia was outplayed and outclassed in every way in Jacksonville – nor from the fact that the Bulldogs committed four personal fouls themselves and have devolved into one of the nation’s most-penalized and least disciplined teams.
But SEC officials should look seriously at suspending Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes.
By now, you’ve probably heard about or seen video of Spikes’ attempted eye-gouging of Georgia running back Washaun Ealey in the third quarter of Saturday’s game.
If not, here it is.
Take a look and then I’ll be back.
(UPDATE: The previous video has been removed by YouTube for copyright issues. This is another version — not as clear but clear enough.)
Pretty nasty, huh?
Now, I’m sure this sort of thing happens all the time at the bottom of the pile in the NFL. I’m guessing it also happens sometimes at the bottom of the pile in SEC games, particularly with players who project to the NFL (Spikes). But there really is no excuse for it.
Spikes might claim that his attack was retaliation for twice getting his helmet knocked off by Bulldogs players earlier in the game. But trying to jam one’s fingers into another guy’s eyes is WAY over the line.
So far, there has been no reaction from SEC officials. They tend to look at these things on Mondays, and I’m sure I was one of a hundred media members seeking a statement Sunday. The hope is that commissioner Mike Slive treats this at least as seriously as he does coaches who whine about officiating.
Florida coach Urban Meyer called Spikes a “very emotional player,” adding, “If that’s the case, I will have a very serious talk with him.”
Dogs coach Mark Richt said on his Sunday night conference call that he hadn’t seen the video: “I did have someone bring it to my attention that they thought that might have happened or whatever, but I don’t want to make any kind of comment on that particular incident.”
I’ll update this late if the SEC comes out with a statement.
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402 comments Add your comment
FromMcDonough
November 2nd, 2009
1:05 pm
This UGA fan thinks any player caught in this situation should be suspended indefinitely. To speculate on whether it is retaliation is missing the point (is murder ok if it is in retaliation for murder)? I consider this offense much worse than anything Michael Vick did. That said, I think Florida’s defense can carry them all the way with or without Spikes.
Just An Observation
November 2nd, 2009
1:07 pm
First let me start by stating that I am not a fan of either university’s football program.
The half game suspension is a joke. The coach is obviously more interested in winning games than in building the character of his players. Hopefully the SEC will do more since there is visual evidence in this case and no one can deny that it really happened. A full game suspension should be the minimum in this case.
ESPN Says Spikes A Hero
November 2nd, 2009
1:12 pm
Spikes story finally explained…just reported on ESPN…Spikes was not eye-gouging he was simply trying to remove a Yellow Jacket that had flown into the mask of Ealey. The Yellow Jacket stung Ealey. Spikes was not able to destroy the Yellow Jacket. ESPN reports that Georgia officials are afraid the Yellow Jacket may strike again on November 28th.
fladawg
November 2nd, 2009
1:12 pm
He should definitely be suspended and be forced to issue a public apology as well.
timthebrave
November 2nd, 2009
1:13 pm
A one game suspension is what should be handed down. I think a season suspension is a little harsh. It was a dirty play. No excuses for what he did.
timthebrave
November 2nd, 2009
1:15 pm
A half game against vanderbilt. Way too weak. Why not just suspend him for the 4th quarter when all the starters are on the bench.
Macon Dog in Middle East
November 2nd, 2009
1:15 pm
Now that Pope Urban has intentionally demeaned the seriousness of Spikes’ cheap shot, Mike Slive should not only punish Spikes severely, but also suspend Meyer for at least two games.
catfish31015
November 2nd, 2009
1:16 pm
I’m still not O.K. with this. “Win at all costs, just don’t get caught”? The pros get paid and MAY get away with this, but these are college kids, 19 or 20 years old. This kind of play could damage a kid for life. Just shows what kind of program Meyer is running down in Florida.
Florida suspends Spikes for only one half of game | Jeff Schultz
November 2nd, 2009
1:17 pm
[...] The play, which you can view here, has received national attention since Saturday’s game. It was even the focus of a segment on ESPN’s “Mike and Mike” radio show this morning, when Spikes was criticized by former NFL lineman Mike Golic. [...]
Just Desserts
November 2nd, 2009
1:17 pm
Given Richt’s leninency on some offenses, Meyer’s punishment levied upon Spikes seems just about right.
ReptilesRule
November 2nd, 2009
1:18 pm
Are you then suggesting that the UGA players who took cheap shots at Spikes throughout the game also face susupension??? You are trying to be fair, aren’t you????
TampaDawg
November 2nd, 2009
1:19 pm
the video link doesn’t work anymore – is Urban behind this? Just sayin…
Darius
November 2nd, 2009
1:19 pm
LOL at all the loser Dawg fans.
Old School Gator
November 2nd, 2009
1:20 pm
Nothing but sour grapes. You had the bye week, no bad calls went in our favor, your players were healthy and yet you still whine. Talk about having no class. If you had class you would agree that you were beat by a better team. I notice no one has said anything about that extremely late hit on Tebow in the first half. They replayed it on TV, but no flags were thrown. You get what you sow. FIU, will put up a bteer fight then you Puppies.
ReptilesRule
November 2nd, 2009
1:20 pm
And all of you UGA fans on here that are railing about UF being a bunch of thugs, I suggest you go look at the tape and then go look at the mirror….
Dawg Tired
November 2nd, 2009
1:21 pm
I love it when bloggers say “we winners” and “you losers” like any of us played a down in that football game. To let a bunch of 20 year old athletes and wealthy coaches define you as a person is really sad.
Einsteindawg
November 2nd, 2009
1:22 pm
As punishment, Spikes should have to write a 500 word term paper on the benefits and advantages of a Willie Martinez defense. Anyone, other than me, who saw Spikes with his helmet off beleives he is at least 38 years old?
Rick
November 2nd, 2009
1:22 pm
Based on the logic I’ve read on this blog from the Gators, Meyer should’ve given him a full game suspension, but only if he actually injured Ealey. Morons! Let me ask this – How is this any different from Marcus Vick stomping on a player’s leg after a play a few years back?? No different in my mind. Each act could’ve seriously injured the other player (can’t remember if Marcus Vick’s “victim” was actually hurt or not). The fact that Ealey isn’t hurt (presumably) is not a factor.
Joe
November 2nd, 2009
1:22 pm
Now that Urban has shown his TRUE yellow spine colors- I am hoping opposing players take the matter into their own hands and do all they can to send this thug out of football with a season ending injury.
PotKettle
November 2nd, 2009
1:23 pm
Spikes should’v have done that. And if Georgia did it beforehand, it doesn’t excuse Spikes’ behavior here. However, Georgia was playing dirty from the beginning of the game. Some got called, some didn’t. But, since Georgia lost, we’ll only get to hear about mean old Spikes and his behavior. Richt has lost control of his team in almost every facet. Whilst the Georgia fans are only casting aspersions the way of their mean old rival, they should also look into the mirror. I hope Meyer extends his suspension to at least a game. But, you could pretty much guarantee nothing will happen to the Georgia offenders. Probably be called “just football” stuff. Way to sic ‘em, Bulldog Nation.
Bulldog12
November 2nd, 2009
1:23 pm
If the oregon running back gets suspended for the rest of the season for punching a guy, Brandon Spikes should get the same treatment. U can bounce back from a hit to the jaw, but getting your eye gouged? that a serious permanent injury!
jim
November 2nd, 2009
1:25 pm
I love how UGA fans are screaming bloody murder over this, but their team’s repeated personal fouls, including multiple in the Florida game, and throughout the entire season are not an issue.
timthebrave
November 2nd, 2009
1:25 pm
He would make a perfect match for the raiders or the bengals. His punishment for trying to gouge out an eye. No seconds on dessert. What a joke. Suspend him the full game at least
PotKettle
November 2nd, 2009
1:26 pm
Correction to my above post: Spikes should not have done that. Apologies.
timthebrave
November 2nd, 2009
1:26 pm
“jim, but their team’s repeated personal fouls, including multiple in the Florida game, and throughout the entire season are not an issue.”…Between the stupid penalties and turnovers we are a .500 team. They are a HUGE issue. Stop trying to justify what he did.
Macon Dog in Middle East
November 2nd, 2009
1:28 pm
Please comment: Should Slive not punish Meyer? Spikes should be suspended for the season. Meyer should get at least a one-game suspension for levying a joke of a penalty, failing to take his responsibility seriously, and undermining the seriousness of Spikes’ offense.
AWJ (UGA Alumni)
November 2nd, 2009
1:29 pm
Einsteindawg…..If Spikes had to write that paper before he could play again he never would, b/c it is impossible to write a 500 word paper on the benefits/advantages of a Willie Martinez defense, unless you were writing it from an offensive perspective.
Being an alumni and proud fan of UGA, I give it up to Florida, you were the better team this year, you whooped our a$$, your team was more prepared, and your team had better coaching, etc.
That being said, it was simply a dirty play. Does not matter if it was a Florida player, a Georgia player, a GT player, or whatever. It was dirty and uncalled for and deserves punishment.
Alabama Jack
November 2nd, 2009
1:32 pm
Since the dawgs are the 118th most penalized team (out of 120) and rank 115th in total yards penalized, I would say they are the NCAA experts on what constitutes improper behavior on the football field.
Than said, I agree Spikes should probably be suspended fore more than one half, as well as the UGAy played that had the late hit out of bounds, and the one that ripped Spikes helmet off. All three should sit.
Barry Jay
November 2nd, 2009
1:34 pm
Some of these UF fans are very, very stupid and sad. To those who can see the seriousness of Spikes actions, I respect you. It is not about wins or losses or UF or UGA. This is about a clearly PURPOSEFUL action to injure another player. UF fans want to talk about low hits, etc. That is itself ridiculous. First, with the rate UGA has been penalized this year, we know refs are not shy about throwing flags for personal fouls against them.
Spikes should be suspended for at least two games for what he did. He is and always has been a dirty player. Players are not usually in a hurry to whine about dirty play. But the video reveals a blatant attempt to injure and that should warrant at least a two game suspension.
Barry Jay
November 2nd, 2009
1:34 pm
Some of these UF fans are very, very stupid and sad. To those who can see the seriousness of Spikes actions, I respect you. It is not about wins or losses or UF or UGA. This is about a clearly PURPOSEFUL action to injure another player. UF fans want to talk about low hits, etc. That is itself ridiculous. First, with the rate UGA has been penalized this year, we know refs are not shy about throwing flags for personal fouls against them. Second, there is no video of what you claim.
Spikes should be suspended for at least two games for what he did. He is and always has been a dirty player. Players are not usually in a hurry to whine about dirty play. But the video reveals a blatant attempt to injure and that should warrant at least a two game suspension.
Iron Dawg
November 2nd, 2009
1:34 pm
Urban can’t take his eyes off Tebow long enough to watch the film of Spikes.
Brian G
November 2nd, 2009
1:37 pm
Wait a second…So you have to be injured in order for someone to be prosecuted?!? So…a guy shoots at you…He misses….He gets off scot-free? Some of you are absolute homer-morons. Regardless of what two teams were playing, this is still an absolute joke; just like Spikes. He is a joke. He is a thug and has no respect for the game. Making a hit is great…but laying on top of the guy and talking trash for 15 seconds is very pansy-like. I also love how the announcers made no comment on Spikes doing it; even after 3 different views of it. I guess they were too busy gushing over him and Tebow.
UGA ALL THE WAY
November 2nd, 2009
1:39 pm
Sim
November 2nd, 2009
9:51 am
First, its ‘move the game from jax’ and now its ’suspend Florida’s players.’ Hey Georgia, it appears you have found rock bottom.
No Sim, UGA hasn’t found rock bottom, they FINALLY got a transition yr. Rock bottom would be the GAYtors being #1 but NOOOOOBODY else seems to think they should be. Hell TeBLOW has played the worst he has EVER this yr. hmmmmm… i wonder whats gonna happen to the GAYtors next year??? Without your coaches butt plug there what will become of y’all???
Love the dogs
November 2nd, 2009
1:42 pm
I just watched Sportscenter. Coach Meyer suspended Spikes for the 1st half of next weeks game. Wow! What punishment. It just shows what type of coach he really is. Late hits happen in football. A 15 yard penalty is called for it. It does not make it right, but that is the business of the game. What the thug from Florida did was way beyond football. It just shows the class of Floriday.
Barry Jay
November 2nd, 2009
1:44 pm
UF fans are as pathetic as their coach. Meyer shows his true colors. He cares more about winning than he does about sportsmanship or the health of other players. He cares more about winning than he does the character of his players. He cares more about winning than he does about setting an example for the rest of the team. He makes me sick.
As for those who try to put this back on UGA…PLEASE. How idiotic can you be? We are not talking about UGA’s penalties…we fans complain about our team’s lack of discipline ALL THE TIME. This blog is not about UGA…it is about the thugish and dangerous actions of a UF player. UF can dish out the “thug” lable when it comes to other teams, but can’t seem to accept it when the video proves it about their own team.
GetRealAboutIt
November 2nd, 2009
1:45 pm
Coach Richt “hasn’t seen the tape and doesn’t want to comment?”
Possible translation … “Hmm, so they got that on tape, huh .. well, yeah, that’s pretty bad, but you know – this could be kind of a slippery slope here … I mean, there’s alot of tape out there from alot of games. I wonder how long it will be before tape of one of MY guys shows up doing something like this? Better let the league handle this one … next question, please ….”
No questions – Spikes was wrong and deserves a suspension. But, realistically, I think we all know deep down that these types of things happen way more than any of us would like to admit …
Chris
November 2nd, 2009
1:46 pm
What is a 35 year old mand doing playing college football anyway?
mikp
November 2nd, 2009
1:49 pm
I’m a Bama fan which the team is know for hard hitting, and use to play before getting injured. there is a class of playing football and then unsportsmanlike and just wanting to hurt people. In a rival game or a game when both teams are playing not so much by the rule, that’s when the better players step up and shine as the better person and win by hits not by cheating/what ever it takes (eye gouging). You are playing on national TV and have to play smart. Just like the pro’s if you get cought pay for it by suspension or fines and if the SEC dont do something the NCAA should since the are over it all.
Barry Jay
November 2nd, 2009
1:51 pm
Those who want to criticize UGA for this are just moron homers. This is about Brandon Spikes and the attempt to gouge the eyes of W. Ealey. This is not some rumored, heresay charge. It is proven by video. There is nothing that can mitigate what Spikes did to another human being. It is not about the teams or the rivalries or who won or lost. This is about what is right or wrong. Nothing else.
Watch Closely Gator Idiots
November 2nd, 2009
1:51 pm
First of all Gary Danielson & Vern Lunquist are total scumbags!!!!
The refs killed a 3rd and 2 when they called a personal foul for “ripping spikes helmet off. Look at the f’n tape, spikes was the one who was being blocked and after the whistle blew he tried to once again push josh davis over the pile in order to injure him and his unbuttoned helmet came off. Look at the F’N tape. He is a scumbag and to here these so called unbiased announcers defend and praise the gaytors and ridicule everything about the bulldogs is GD criminal. I will never watch another CBS game with these two calling it.
The gaytors are a joke and would have lost had it not been for poor coaching and the refs
changing the game. Dawgs in the Pro’s 39 , Gaytors 28. Your college sucks and Spikes will eventually go to prison.
Lawyer Dawg
November 2nd, 2009
1:54 pm
What type of ass-clown would defended Spikes by saying that we didn’t know Spikes’ intent? How can anyone with an IQ greater than a Tech poster claim not to be able to infer Spikes’ intent when he maliciously and forcibly shoved his extended fingers into the opening of Washaun Ealey’s facemask while Ealey was being tackled and on the ground by other Florida players. Then other psychos spin an equally lame defense (almost as lame as the Martinez-Richt defense) of Spikes by indicating that Ealey didn’t appear to be injured by the incident, therefor, Spikes was not doing anything unsportsmanlike?
Idiots.
toga
November 2nd, 2009
1:59 pm
Cry me a river. Gee weez, this is football. If the Dogs can’t take it, they should quit playing football and stop bothering the rest of us with their whining.
The Bulldogs are an embarrassment to the SEC.
RHR
November 2nd, 2009
2:09 pm
In the SEC championship game last year there were a few gator players caught on camera intentionally kicking and stomping bama players in the pile. I dont know why Urban or anyone else is acting like this is new. Its embarrassing to see this mentioned on a Georgia newspaper website. Let the national media cover this and stop making us look like a bunch of crybabies.
Barry Jay
November 2nd, 2009
2:13 pm
Getrealaboutit…yes, this happens in football. But that doesn’t excuse it. I see nothing wrong with going through game tape after each game to point out such incidents. I have no problem with ANY players being suspended for trying to gouge eyes. There was not any question about this. Spikes admitted doing it. The video clearly proved it. I saw it during the game…it was that blatant.
There is no “slippery slope” on this. Some dirty plays are questionable. Others are obvious…like this one. It’s hard to judge the questionable ones. It should be EASY to judge the obvious. Retaliation is no excuse. He should be suspended for two games.
ThaMan
November 2nd, 2009
2:17 pm
A lawyer calling ANYBODY an idiot. Now that’s funny!
Brandon Spikes Will Blind You If He Has To (Update) [College Football] | stream4.me
November 2nd, 2009
2:20 pm
[...] SEC should consider suspending Florida’s Spikes [Journal Constitution] Florida’s Spikes has some explaining to do [ESPN] Gators’ Spikes in apparent dirty play vs. Dawgs [WTVG] [...]
Saint Timmy
November 2nd, 2009
2:22 pm
How dare we attempt (poorly) to tackle St. Timothy. If he doesn’t want to get hit in the head tell him to stop leading with his helmet. And the chop-blocking Jackets don’t have much of a moral high ground to cast misinformed allegations of dirty play.
Barry Jay
November 2nd, 2009
2:25 pm
I am sickened by the response of some UF fans here. To those who show good sense and fairness…I salute you. But those who try to deflect blame for Spikes actions elsewhere…you are disgusting. Look beyond school colors.
There is no excuse for what Spikes did. It doesn’t matter if no injury occurred. It doesn’t matter if it was retaliation. It doesn’t matter how you view UGA’s offenses. This blatant attempt to injure was caught on tape and admitted to by the player.
If this goes by without a significant punishment (2 game suspension at least) then the SEC is saying such actions are ok. UGA, UF, Bama, and Tech fans should all agree on this…such behaivor is uncalled for and should be aggressively acted on by the conference. What if a UGA player had gouged Tebow’s eyes? You UF homers would be picketing the SEC offices. Let’s get get real and do the right thing here.
Sapphire Stephens
November 2nd, 2009
2:30 pm
Fleabags have something new to take their minds off of that butt shellacking that the Gators have turned into an annual tradition. Game is over. You want to go back and look at films and call penalties after the game? Accept defeat gracefully and try to win next time. But witt Florida, forget it. They OWN YOU!!!!!!!!!!!
RHR
November 2nd, 2009
2:31 pm
Uh maybe you haven’t heard, Barry, but he got suspended for half of the Vandy game. All teams do this, Florida may be a little dirtier than some but its just football.