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.
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
402 comments Add your comment
Bob
November 2nd, 2009
2:35 pm
What would it take for Gator fans to grow a pair and criticize one of their players? I’m thinking nothing short of murder will get their attention as long as they are winning.
mom3
November 2nd, 2009
2:38 pm
Next week, Tebow’s bible verse should be Exodus 21:24:
“An eye for an eye”.
Barry Jay
November 2nd, 2009
2:43 pm
Uh…maybe you haven’t heard RHR, but I don’t believe that Meyer’s suspension is what the SEC should accept. Meyer is a classless as Spikes for suspending the player for a half. This is at least a two game suspension offense. Frankly, he should be suspended for the rest of the year, but we know that won’t happen. If the SEC officials won’t call Tebow for running around the field waving his arms to the crowd after a TD, then they won’t do the right thing here either.
glass houses
November 2nd, 2009
2:51 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1×6mWuYwruE&feature=related
even stafford took cheap shots at Spikes in 08
grrrrtrfan
November 2nd, 2009
2:57 pm
as an aside all you inbred Leg-humpers…where is this story that Mike Slive went to Georgia Tech…if you mean GeorgeTOWN you would be right…only off by about a 10 hour drive…and 3 key letters (and a space, I think that counts double toward idiot points)…now each of you go through this thread, find your comments re: Slive and Georgia Tech and count up your points…thats how many days you have to wait to post again!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Slive
PotKettle
November 2nd, 2009
3:08 pm
Spikes deserves to be suspended. The eye-gouging move was classless, retaliatory or not. He should get at least a game. As a Gator fan and alum, I don’t condone this type of behavior. But, this was a chippy game and plenty of Georgia players were acting poorly as well. If they were eye-gouging, what should happen to them? If they’re hitting late or going for the knees, what? “That’s just football?” Give me a break. This is a rivalry game and a lot of the players dislike each other. Doesn’t give ANY of them the right to cheap shot.
Wayne Johnson
November 2nd, 2009
3:11 pm
Oregon player gets suspended for the year for punching a player after being taunted by him. Oklahoma State player gets suspended for the year after not telling the truth about going to dinner at Deon Sanders house. Florida player gets suspended for the FIRST half of the game against the worst team in the conference. Not only does the player not have any class, but neither does the coach or the SEC commisioner. Thank goodness he didn’t do something really egregous like criticising the official. If Florida or the SEC cannot do something about this, then the NCAA has to. I think that the first two punishments were way too much, but the last one is pitiful!
PotKettle
November 2nd, 2009
3:14 pm
Great point, Wayne. What about the dirty plays by the Georgia players? What should Richt or the SEC do?
Wayne Johnson
November 2nd, 2009
3:25 pm
PotKettle
If a Georgia player did something comparable, then they should receive an appropriate punishment. If Rennie Curran had done the same thing to Tim Tebow, I would have said the same thing. By the way, I may have gone overboard in saying that Urban Meyer has no class-I have always admired him before now.
Barry Jay
November 2nd, 2009
3:27 pm
If you prove an eye gouge as obvious as Spikes, Pot, then produce the video. Suspend the offender. I care more about the safety of players and good sportsmanship. The problem is that rarely does video delineate the difference between a “football play” and intentional attempt at injury. Spikes video clearly shows him stuffing his hand inside the facemask AFTER the play. According to an interview with Meyer, Spikes admitted he was retaliating, so intent has been PROVEN. It is ridiculous to keep suggesting the complaints on this (most from the NATIONAL media, by the way) are just sour grapes or rivalry attacks. NOTHING IS FARTHER FROM THE TRUTH.
Your question is moronic. Clearly you are a blinded, irrational homer.
Barry Jay
November 2nd, 2009
3:35 pm
PotKettle
If you have video that proves a UGA player intentionally tried to injury another player, the produce it. The UGA player should be punished as well. Stuff you call “dirty” is often borderline football plays…hitting low, helmet to helmet, hands to the face, etc. With such plays, intent is hard to prove.
This was entirely different. Spikes jumped on a pile and was shown clearly thrusting his hand inside the facemask of Ealey. The play was OVER. Not only does the video prove his intent, according to an interview with Meyer posted at the AJC, Spikes even ADMITTED he was retaliating, i.e. he did it on purpose. Prove that and yes, the offender, whether UGA, UT, UF, Tech or whoever, should be suspended for at least two games.
You stupid homers just don’t get it. This is not about rivalries or school colors. This is about safety. I played football myself. I played soccer too. I got my cornea scracthed on a dirty play and I know how close I came to losing my eye. There is no excuse for this…ever.
Seminole Nation
November 2nd, 2009
3:38 pm
Are y’all shocked that a Floriduh Gayturd would play dirty? Of course not! Like their fans, gayturd players are trash (except for Tebow). As annoying as the media is fawning over Tebow, even a Seminole can respect his talent and maturity. As for Urban Myer and the rest of those convicts: NO USE FOR THEM! They are hapless without Tebow anyways.
Barry Jay
November 2nd, 2009
3:39 pm
Oh, and by the way…for those who are harping about UGA’s penalties and about how UGA fans whine about the refs…
If you watch the video of the entire play…Spikes was offside and it was not called.
Take that homers. And take that SEC officials!
clickdawg
November 2nd, 2009
3:40 pm
spikes is and always has been a dirty player, he’ll get what’s coming to him, i gurantee, just watch him for the rest of the season, I hope bama stumps a mus hole in them, that’s simply just dirty.
TheHighPosts.com, All Ball: From Street to Pros.
November 2nd, 2009
3:42 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] [...]
Win P.
November 2nd, 2009
4:21 pm
Thought the football player who retaliates always gets the penalty, then Spikes is due a personal foul penality. Prehaps the officials will do that in the second half of the Vandy game. If 3 other gator players were eye gouged by the dawgs, then the dawgs should have been penalized or prehaps like Spike they were only retaliating. Since UGA is 119 out of 120 teams in number of penalities received, hate to think any are missed. Wondered why the dawgs did not play in the 2nd half, prehaps they decided as Urban has that the uncalled eye gouging penalities should receive a 1/2 game suspension.
Reminded of the time (50s prehaps?) when an Ala player either stepped or kicked a Ga Tech player in the face when he was down doing a good bit of damage. Tech refused to play Ala after that, no sure they have since. Anyway Ga should consider terminating the Fla series in the future. Ga is not getting much out of the series.
Shenandoah
November 2nd, 2009
4:36 pm
As a ong lomg time Dawg I Have to agree with Gatorsam. The top cats at each university have one year to make sure next year’s game is a hard played football game – not a series of muggings. if you want WWF then let Meyer and Richt get in the cage – not the players.
Gator Hater
November 2nd, 2009
5:05 pm
Another reason to pull for Alabama or anyone else that isn’t the Florida Gators. What a bunch of classless dirt bags. I hope Urban and his thugs get what’s coming to them soon. No place in the SEC and college football for unsportsmanlike conduct such as this. Hopefully this idiot will get his dues when it comes to the NFL draft. Maybe he will get drafted by Oakland so he will be right at home.
longDawg
November 2nd, 2009
5:16 pm
urban suspended Spikes for one half against vandy but gave 4 watermelons to eat on the bench the first half
Brandon Spikes Will Blind You If He Has To College Football | myMLB - Rays
November 2nd, 2009
5:31 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 [...]
Sowegadawg
November 2nd, 2009
5:40 pm
longDawg–don’t forget the fried chicken bucket
freshman Tight end
November 2nd, 2009
5:52 pm
Spikes was messing with that kid just like he did to KNOWSHON and the gunshot wound acting….if he wanted to hurt him he could of… AND GEORGIA you were playing DIRTY THE WHOLE GAME…. \
freshman Tight end
November 2nd, 2009
5:55 pm
oh yea ITS A MIDDLE LINEBACKer NAMED >>>>>>>>>>>>> SPIKES duhhhh
PotKettle
November 2nd, 2009
5:59 pm
Barry Jay – Watch who you are calling a moron. I’ve said repeatedly that Spikes should be suspended. If he was trying to eye gouge and retaliate…like it appears that he was, then yes I feel he should be suspended. What I’m saying is if they come up with any video evidence of someone cheap shotting the other way, be it a nasty late hit or eye-gouging, just want to know it goes both ways. But, leave it to a homer to insinuate that I want someone to get away with something. Look in the mirror.
Nish1021
November 2nd, 2009
6:06 pm
Hey Jill, you moron…. spitting on someone doesn’t have the potential to BLIND them!!! At least make a plausible argument if you’re going to mutter something.
Tony Martin
November 2nd, 2009
6:36 pm
If his disciplined coach would make the thug get his hair braids cut maybe his helment would stay on his bucket head. you have to admire the discipline washan displayed not to retaliate
Behn Connell
November 2nd, 2009
7:15 pm
The OSU player gets suspended for the rest of the year for an honest mistake and the Oregon player gets suspended for the year for a sucker punch. Which is worst, to me it is trying to blind someone.
Barry Jay
November 2nd, 2009
7:28 pm
Potkettle:
You are not a moron because you agree with a suspension.
It is moronic to whine about dirty play and suggest UGA fans are hypocrites. As I stated…show the video tape and prove intent, then you can compare what you think is dirty play to what Spikes did. It is moronic to cast aspersions in another direction when talking about an obvious and admitted dirty play by Spikes. We are talking about what Spikes did. That is the only video evidence we have today.
And I will go on record again—Any player caught doing that in a given week should face discipline. I think two games is what is should be for that offense. If you can prove intent, the suspension should be two games. Having had a scratched cornea, I know how easily someone could lose vision. Stop it before it happens by being strict.
dawgfanatic24-7
November 2nd, 2009
8:07 pm
Ealey showed some class not bringing up the eye gouge. He was probably hesitant about mentioning the flagrant action considering all the warnings from Slive about criticizing officials. Spikes is a thug and I believe his bro is in prison for murder. I’ve read how he should be suspended for 2 games. The he!! with that s$%t! Suspend him for the rest of the season!!! This was a coached move and the whole team should be punished so let the thug sit at home.
Dave
November 2nd, 2009
8:13 pm
Hey Brian,
Tebow hands the ball off and pretends like he is running with the ball. Every coach in America would tell you to hit the quarterback! In no way is that a cheap shot! If Tebow doesn’t want to be hit, then don’t fake like you are running with the football. You guys whine every time someones brushes up against him. The guy is 6′5″ and 245 pounds and you guys think no one should hit him! Anyway, he will be playing tight end in the pros, so he better get used to it.
BY THE WAY, YOUR OWN COACH SUSPENDED SPIKES, NOT THE SEC, NOT THE NCAA. SO, DON’T TELL ME HE NEED NOTHING WRONG.
Bobby Bowden
November 2nd, 2009
8:49 pm
Dadgummit. Now Urban, you need to take some cues from Mark. I coached him up real good on how to discipline players. I think you’re being a little tough on the boy. A good stern talkin’ to would have been sufficient.
G-Money
November 2nd, 2009
9:31 pm
Ah well, we couldn’t really expect anything more than the one-half suspension from Mr. Classy himself, Urban Meyer. This will hurt Spikes’s draft stock and he’ll end up getting fined multiple times for similar actions until his groin turns him into the Fred Taylor of linebackers. Congratulations.
SE GA LADY
November 2nd, 2009
9:45 pm
Jill and TechBuzz need to clarify their statements. Hey, just because Jill does not say which player on which team spit in Spikes’ face, and TechBuzzy can’t tell us which UGA players were hitting frail Tebow late, I think we should have them tell us exactly what in the world do they mean!!! Obviously, TechBuzzy hasn’t looked at Tebow lately. He didn’t seem to hurt after the legal hits. I’m so sorry TechBuzzy has such bad feelings toward UGA.
fifty7eddie
November 2nd, 2009
11:51 pm
Coach Paul Bear Bryant would have dismissed his star player from the entire football program for doing this. What a complete lack of discipline and a demonstration of being a thug!
Coastal Dawg
November 3rd, 2009
12:06 am
Am glad it is getting national attention. Slive, you are on the national stage and perhaps will gain or lose support on how you react. You UF fans are pathetic and really do your school a disservice by trying to defend his actions and your coach’s insulting lack of discipline. Had nothing (obviously) to do with the outcome of the game and our outrage is not sour grapes; its about not doing such things that prove he is a felon.
Agree with Macon Dawg; with such a minor reaction by his coach, the SEC should at least offer a reprimand to Meyer.
Barry Jay
November 3rd, 2009
12:23 am
Slive has accepted Meyer’s suspension. This proves he is in bed with UF.
Slive is a bad word to me now.
When someone does something that makes me mad I’ll say,
“You are sorry Slive!!”
Stephanie
November 3rd, 2009
1:17 am
I’m noticing Florida fans justify his cruelty with a child’s point of view: “They started it…” That’s crap. Regardless of spitting or other un-sportsmanlike behavior from rivals, there is absolutely NO EXCUSE for attempting to gouge out someone’s eye. I would really, really like to meet someone who would walk away from being a victim of such treatment with the outlook of, “Oh well, my team ’started it,’ so I totally deserved that.” Spikes is insanely lucky no one took retaliation on him, and I think it actually says a lot about the Georgia players. I’m not even a fan, but this is disgusting.
Brandon Spikes Will Blind You If He Has To (Update) [College Football] | Yuvablog
November 3rd, 2009
1:51 am
[...] 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] [...]
Brandon Spikes Will Blind You If He Has To (Update) [College Football] | Yuvablog
November 3rd, 2009
1:51 am
[...] 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] [...]
Rick
November 3rd, 2009
2:04 am
I can’t believe that some of you Tech people would defend this crap. Ever heard the saying, no dog in the fight?
Shows how dumb you are.
This plays shows the personality on many gator fans and their head coach.
This sub-human POS, spikes, should be suspended for at least three games.
We all know what Meyer is made of.. See spikes.
But the SEC office.. Those people are pathetic! Mike Slime ball is one sick little dude.
RollTideMark
November 3rd, 2009
4:31 am
Half a game suspension over a hugely unranked team? Yeah, that is a way to show him what he did was wrong… This man should have criminal charges brought against him… I am an Alabama fan, not a GA fan and this is just wrong. You would never, and I mean NEVER see an ALABAMA PLAYER do such a thing… thats a disgrace to the SEC… he is a THUG and should be removed for the rest of the season….
B
November 3rd, 2009
6:54 am
I love how everyone keeps going on about whiny Georgia fans. I could care less about Georgia. I just get so annoyed at all of people who cheer, support and throw millions and millions of dollars at low-rate, thugs. These guys would shoot you in a back alley if they weren’t playing ball. Everyone defends them like they know them or play ball with them. You don’t! You are not on the team. They are not your friends.
Vince and Herschel
November 3rd, 2009
7:59 am
so sad
gatordowneast
November 3rd, 2009
8:32 am
I was at the game and Georgia players were taking cheap shots at every opportunity. Look at all the flags for unsportsmanlike conduct. They were also running their mouths bigtime. Perhaps it was the black ‘helmutts’ and black pants. Perhaps Richt and staff talked to them about “manning up” and acting with some attitude like old days at da U. Who knows.
I do know that when Urban addressed this with Spikes, Brandon did not deny and apologized for it and said he got caught up in the moment as he had been spit on and poked in the eye on other plays. And he didn’t gouge Ealey’s eye did he? He put his hand inside his face mask but did not injure the player. And apparently Ealey was the player who had spit.
So no excuses, Spikes was suspended for half a game and we move on. I’d suggest GA fans redirect their energy toward supporting their team. The GA stands looked teal in the fourth quarter…didn’t know the Pups had changed to teal and black…oh those were the empty seats from poodle fans leaving early…again.
And BTW- When Richts mentor “saint Bobby” was presented with clear video evidence of Darnall Docket actually twisting the leg of a UF running back (Ernest Graham) and injuring the player preventing him from playing the remainder of the year, absolutely nothing was done. So what do you think Richt would have done…NOTHING. Which is a big reason you guys are 4 and 4. Penalties and Richt does NOTHING.
You reap what you SOW.
???
November 3rd, 2009
9:48 am
anything is justifiable. heck, why not allow weapons on the field just in case someone spits on you then you can take severe action. in no realm is an intentional attempt to injure acceptable…especially if it is so blatant. a half a game? hahahahahaah….what a joke. might as well just said “we’ll make him run extra.” that’s not discipline. but nonetheless, he’s a mighty gator and should be excused for losing control. i’d rather my favorite teams kick a player out of the program than allow such behavior. maybe, just maybe, a vandy lineman will accidentally lose control on a low block and impose his own suspension. then i’d like to see how many gater fans are upset.
Buck
November 3rd, 2009
12:37 pm
If the SEC does not follow through with punishment, then they are a joke. A coach now gets suspended for criticizing poor officiating, but a tramp athlete can try to blind an opponent and get nothing.
VFL
November 3rd, 2009
4:26 pm
This incident happened in the game! He should be suspended for the rest of the season as was the Oregon Player for punching a player after the game! The SEC Commissioner should step down if he is only going to go after coaches for telling the truth and allow this thuggery to continue in the SEC.
Urban Meyer shows his true colors by giving the thug a 1/2 game suspension!!
Courage
November 3rd, 2009
4:45 pm
The SEC won’t do anything to make Florida mad! SEC Execs are a bunch of cowards! And they’re especially afraid of Florida and Urban Meyer!
Spikes should be suspended indefinately. What he did is Assault and battery! Isn’t that a felony offense in the real world?
Gator52
November 3rd, 2009
7:36 pm
When I saw this on the replays during the game I knew there would be more to come. Spikes was wrong and the video caught him. But there is no evidence he was trying to hurt Ealey. Intimidation, yea, but so what. You UGA fans yelling about ’show the video’ of wrong doing by Dawg players are missing the point. This is football. Interesting how all the comments have ended now that Ealey has said nothing happened and says the suspension is harsh.
BigEasy
November 3rd, 2009
8:34 pm
“”That really didn’t matter to me,” Ealey said of the suspension. “That’s their decision. He shouldn’t, I think, get suspended at all. We were just out there playing football.”
Ealey said he had his eyes closed when Spikes stuck his hand in his helmet and he wasn’t hurt.
“He really didn’t gouge my eyes,” Ealey said. “He really didn’t get a chance to get close to my eyes.”
The freshman said he believes similar incidents happen all the time.
“I’m pretty sure it goes on back and forth,” he said. “We probably do it and other teams do too. It’s all football. We’re just out there trying to have fun.”