Grantham’s antics were over the line — it’s not even close
Todd Grantham appears to be giving "choke" sign before Florida lines up for field goal attempt.
(Tuesday, 8 p.m.: This blog has been updated throughout, now that Georgia coach Mark Richt has confirmed that defensive coordinator Todd Grantham gave the choke sign and shouted something well south of the King’s English at Florida kicker Chas Henry Saturday. Just added: Grantham quotes)
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This isn’t about football. This isn’t about how we’re just too politically correct, or about how some of us just aren’t tough enough, or how we’re all just picking on the poor Georgia Bulldogs because, you know, that’s just what the leftist, evil media does.
This is about right and wrong. A 44-year-old college coaching grabbing his throat multiple times and shouting, “You’re gonna [bleepin'] choke,” at the opponent’s 21-year-old kicker?
Folks, that’s wrong. It’s over the line. It’s not even a close call.
Todd Grantham shouting “Choke” at the opposing player doesn’t make him or his team any tougher or better. It just makes him look classless. The Georgia defensive coordinator owes everybody an apology, from the Bulldogs’ program to Florida kicker Chas Henry, the target of Grantham’s sideline antics in Jacksonville.
Dogs coach Mark Richt confirmed Tuesday what had become obvious Monday, when he was unavailable for comment. Grantham gave the choke sign to Henry multiple times and he was wrong for doing so. The picture above tells part of the story. The two videos below tell more of it. In short, Grantham — who can be a little on the excitable side, which in itself isn’t a bad thing — let his competitive spirit push him over the line of what’s right and wrong. He grabbed his throat four times while the Florida kicker lined up for a 37-yard field goal attempt in overtime.
Henry, a native of Dallas, Ga., acknowledged seeing and hearing Grantham but he made the kick anyway, giving the Gators a 34-31 win.
The above screen grab from the Florida sports cable network “Sun Sports” showed Grantham on the sideline. Below are two videos:
VIDEO No. 1: Here is Henry’s post-game interview with CBS when he references what he saw when he looked to the Georgia sideline during the timeout. Quote: “Some of their coaches on the sideline were giving me a little grief, saying I was gonna choke.”)
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VIDEO No. 2: Here’s one view of Grantham going through his motions before the kick, via Sports by Brooks.)
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It was at about 6:30 p.m. Monday night when Pat Dooley of the Gainesville Sun sent a note out on Twitter: “Just checked the CBS broadcast again. Todd Grantham grabs his neck and says ‘You’re gonna bleepin’ choke. You’re gonna choke’ to Henry.”
By then, it was clear that Richt had a mess to clean up, and for once it had nothing to do with his players and the Athens-Clarke County police department
As I wrote earlier, it would be understandable — even expected — that Grantham would think, “Choke!” or “Miss it!” in his head. It wouldn’t even be surprising if a Georgia player yelled, “Choke!” or grabbed his neck. But that’s not something a college coach should be doing, and Richt acknowledged that.
Grantham himself expressed regret about the incident, saying after Tuesday’s practice: “As a competitor, sometimes you get caught up in the heat of the moment. I wish the situation hadn’t happened.”
Earlier in the day, Richt also referenced that “emotions run high,” adding: “People do things they probably wish they didn’t do. I think that was what was being communicated. I don’t think he’s necessarily proud of it. We’re just going to learn from it and move on.”
Not the first thing this year the Dogs are trying to learn from.
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1,682 comments Add your comment
Scott
November 2nd, 2010
9:02 am
Who gives a rat’s arse? Inconclusive non-news imho. Still hate the turds with all I can muster and will always be a proud Dawg fan and alum
David
November 2nd, 2010
9:03 am
johnsonDAWG – You actually think this is a firable offense?? That’s a freaking joke man. And it’s ‘OUR’ not ‘OWER’
USC GAMEC0CK
November 2nd, 2010
9:06 am
okay uga nuts…watch the vid that shultz has now posted above and defend that damn loser…
i personnally want georgia to keep the “don’t know defense if it bit him hin the butt” grantham but his behavior is absolutely pathetic…grown man on national TV acting like a idiot…
seriously….big dope head
USC GAMEC0CK
November 2nd, 2010
9:08 am
yes it is a fireable offense but …dont fire him…georgia’s defense has never looked worse.
rly1118
November 2nd, 2010
9:09 am
Who cares? It’s football and that kicker is a grown man! I promise he sees/hears much worse than that in his dormroom in Gainsville.
USC GAMEC0CK
November 2nd, 2010
9:10 am
of course everyone already knew he was a “big dope head” because we have been watching that so called defense since the USC game….i loved that defense then and frankly love it today too.
timthebrave
November 2nd, 2010
9:13 am
This is really a story….Are you telling me that the georgia coaches were hoping the kicker would choke and miss a field goal? You mean to say they weren’t cheering for him? Wow….This is BIG news….Stop the presses.
USC GAMEC0CK
November 2nd, 2010
9:13 am
other players doing that is part of growing up…a freaking DC at georgia doing that and yelling curse words too….completely an IDIOT…parents of recruits will think twice before letting their kids play for this dumb nut…..when that happens…you will care then too.
Urban likes to threaten women
November 2nd, 2010
9:15 am
Urban Meyer wouldn’t care if he TEXTED it. But he might feel differently if Rainey had texted his Daughter don’t you think?
FLORIDA FANS SUPPORT ABUSE AGAINST WOMEN.
USC GAMEC0CK
November 2nd, 2010
9:16 am
wanting him to miss or choke is fine…thinking it is fine but doing what grantham did is unacceptable period and i dont care who you pull for
Fakey McFake
November 2nd, 2010
9:17 am
@schmeckdawg
“All’s fair in love and war. Was it fair that they didn’t get flagged for excessive celebration!!!!”
Hey Carnac, do you always answer your own questions before asking them?
Urban likes to threaten women
November 2nd, 2010
9:17 am
Who gives a crap, FLORI_DUH jerks. Talk about SORE WINNERS. WHiners.
Just be happy you have a FORCED home game against Georgia every year, with BIAS CBS coverage. I was waiting for them to lobby the NCAA to allow TEBOW back to do the Jump Pass. You FLORIDA fans love criminals.
DILLIGAF
November 2nd, 2010
9:18 am
USC GAMEC0CK:
“and you losers who are defending grantham…i hope you dont have kids’
And I suppose that you do have kids and I also would bet that you teach your little spawn that it’s o.k. to lose “because you can’t win em’ all” and “somebody has to win and somebody has to lose” and you whine to the coach because Little Johnny sucks so therefore he doesn’t get as much playing time as the more talented kids and then you wipe away his little tears and take him for ice cream and make it all better.
You’re what is wrong with this country, sniveling liberals who feel that they and theirs are entitled. Well guess what? You’re not. There are winners and their are losers in sports and in the real world. If you’re not #1, then no one really cares where you place. I imagine that you’ll teach your kids to be a crybaby just like yourself. How about growing a set and teach you kids the same.
I do have a son and he knows not to say a word if he doesn’t get playing time. he knows to practice and work harder to acheive his goals. My kid is the one standing on the sideline giving the “choke” sign and laughing at your kid.
UGA/85′
USC GAMEC0CK
November 2nd, 2010
9:19 am
hope you grantham supporters don’t have kids and please don’t vote either…no way you have even half a brain
Brian
November 2nd, 2010
9:19 am
I had a football coach knock the crap out of me while I was in full pads, call my momma names, and threaten to kill my dog. The fact that this is even a story demonstrates how this country is getting petty and soft! I wanted him to choke, slip, black out, trip over his shoe strings, start crying – anything – but he didn’t. All you can say is good game Gators. Hope you choke next year.
GT Dude
November 2nd, 2010
9:20 am
When I first heard about this yesterday, I thought there is no way a college coach at a reputable university would do that… but this video tells the story loud and clear.
What is most telling is that the supposed “Good Man” Richt is right beside Todd when he is yelling “you’re going to #*&@ choke” with not so much as a look in his direction.
I never have liked UGA, but I begrudgingly used to admire Coach Richt. However, I lost a lot of respect for Richt over the last couple of years with all of the arrests and now his apparent support of Todd’s actions has made all right with the world.
I don’t like UGA and I don’t like their coach; the UGA fans and coaches are in synch and for the most part both are classless.
Concrete Pete
November 2nd, 2010
9:20 am
My personal opinion, as a huge dawg fan and ex high school coach, this is incredibly out of bounds and unprofessional. I would expect that from a liquored up redneck fan, but not a coach in a coordinator position, especially one that just gave up 31 points and 450 yards. There has been a choke job this year, and its our DC.
Fakey McFake
November 2nd, 2010
9:21 am
Hey coach, next time try not giving up 34 points instead of relying on a completely lame attempt to get in that kid’s head. What athlete would wilt because the opposing D coordinator is making a choke sign? Any of us with even the least bit of competitive spirit would see that, laugh to themselves and think, me choke? Well watch this…
David
November 2nd, 2010
9:21 am
USC GAMECOCK – If you have kids, please home school them; because they will no doubt wither if subjected to adversity. If you truly believe this action warrants termination then I am sure NPR would love to have you on staff. This was an imatute move by Grantham, but your drama and over reaction to this is laughable!
Urban likes to threaten women
November 2nd, 2010
9:21 am
Time to CHOKE,
TIME TO DIE,
What’s the difference?
Urban likes to threaten women
November 2nd, 2010
9:23 am
DILLIGAF thinks it’s appropriate to threaten women, but not to yell at a player.
Perhaps you’d be happy taking away the 7 points from the women abuser and losing the game?
USC GAMEC0CK
November 2nd, 2010
9:26 am
Grantham’s defense = choke kings of college football
MURPHY
November 2nd, 2010
9:26 am
If Grantham did this-and it appears he did-Richt must let him go.This is a total lack of class and has put UGA is in yet another embarrassing situation. This seems to be the norm for 2010. McGarity it is time to earn your salary.
crap sandwich
November 2nd, 2010
9:26 am
At least one of our coaches shows some emotion. This is a game of emotion, and I see absolutely nothing wrong with coach Grantham’s display of emotion. This coach will be a winner for UGA.
jbeggs
November 2nd, 2010
9:26 am
Jeff, refresh my memory – did you write an article voicing your displeasure at Meyer when he called 2 timeouts lat in the 4th quarter with a 40 pt lead a year or two ago? You are so transparent it is redonk!! You and Cynthia Tucker are peas in a pod!!
King Donko of Punchstania
November 2nd, 2010
9:28 am
Nowhere near the same as what Woody Hayes did. It’s a rivalry game, and things happen. Deal with it P.C police.
Urban likes to threaten women
November 2nd, 2010
9:28 am
Please. people. Grow up. Urban Meyer has NO ROOM to talk after he supported RAiney.
Rainey would be UNDER the jail if he did that to anyone here’s daughert, including MEYER’s.
FLORIDA is a school of hypocrites. and USC C0ck-block belongs there too.
DILLIGAF
November 2nd, 2010
9:28 am
Urban likes to threaten women:
“DILLIGAF thinks it’s appropriate to threaten women, but not to yell at a player.”
Did I say anything about women? Can you even read?
Maybe you need to put down the crackpipe, don’t you think its a little early to be burning brain cells?
root4au
November 2nd, 2010
9:29 am
Not as bad as uga players dancing before OT began…
@WreckBuZZ
November 2nd, 2010
9:33 am
Maybe he was signalling to his own defense about what he thought about their performance?
It's Obvious
November 2nd, 2010
9:36 am
that he’s trying to warn the Florida Cheerleaders that Chris Rainey is charging at them and it’s time to die.
JacketFan
November 2nd, 2010
9:36 am
UGAg fans calling the Gators criminals … priceless!
DILLIGAF
November 2nd, 2010
9:37 am
To those that are bashing this program and especially CMR, I can tell you one thing, if Chris Rainey had been a Bulldog and he committed that crime, he would have NEVER donned the red and black again.
Yet Meyer doesn’t kick him off of the team but brings him back him back, just in time to play in the one game that took the heat off of him. Just like the Spikes eye gouging incident last year. Meyer totally blew it off until he began to get some back lash and he suspends him for half a game. Win at all cost.
Meyer’s a dirtbag. I just wish Grantham’s hand was around his throat.
David
November 2nd, 2010
9:37 am
Really? Who really gives a damn? I wish he had run out there on the field and tackled the m’ fo . . .
It's Better than
November 2nd, 2010
9:38 am
when CPJ rips off his shirt at games and pulls on his nipple rings like Farmer Fran
Fakey McFake
November 2nd, 2010
9:38 am
@WreckBuZZ — LOL. That’s probably it. Hey defense, our offense made a nice comeback, scored 31 points, and you guys CHOKED!
uga's girl
November 2nd, 2010
9:38 am
WHO CARES!!!????!!!! I’ve seen a lot worse & heard a lot worse, so again, who cares? If he was, good for him, he showed passion. Something our other coaches could learn. Seriously though, was the kicker really looking at Grantham? I believe that to be a lie. I watched the actual game on dvr several times & I didn’t see old Henry looking over there. He did look like he was going to crap his pants though.
Thanks for giving the gayturds & the techies more fodder! Geez louise.
David
November 2nd, 2010
9:39 am
Hey JacketFan . . . what’s Reuben selling these days? We’re still gonna stomp your bug ass in a few weeks. UGA’s worst team in 30 years will smack your Jackets like the little bitches that you are.
CaptainDave
November 2nd, 2010
9:39 am
I will say it again….
A coach should never yell or gesture at an opposing player on the field. The only time a coach should communicate with an opposing player is with a postgame handshake.
This is an incredible display of unsportsmanship. That most of the bloggers here are trying to defend the indefensible is disappointing.
Peter "F - 'em" Perterno
November 2nd, 2010
9:39 am
Who gives a rip if Grantham was actually giving the chock gesture/ At least he shows some emotion and a will to win! Can’t say that about “Poker Face” Mark Richt. Good to see a little fire on the Red and Black sideline.
There is a
November 2nd, 2010
9:42 am
big difference between speeding tickets and threatening to kill someone or dirty play on the field
30-24
It’s still 30-24 dorks
You can use another football programs record against us to trash talk, but it doesn’t hide reality
73-66
ugadawg09
November 2nd, 2010
9:42 am
Really?! They’re going to make a big deal out of this when Brandon Spikes got a slap on the wrist for almost taking out one of Washaun Ealey’s eyes in last years game?! Absolutely ridiculous… Gators will always play way dirtier than the Dawgs. At least Grantham only motioned it instead of actually choking him, which Urban would have got one of his players to do to Walsh in that situation.
Gators played Felon
November 2nd, 2010
9:43 am
And how is this related to the proud University of Florida playing a felon?
Danny
November 2nd, 2010
9:43 am
Is it just me or does it seem like the media is making a big deal out of this. The dude symboled to choke…which is meant as “miss the field goal”…i didn’tthink for one second that it was meant as a threat. The media needs to grow up…most of you never played sports anyway, that’s why you “report” instead of play.
GatorDude
November 2nd, 2010
9:45 am
Give me a break. This is SEC football not the LPGA. The guy got caught up in the emotion of the moment. Mountains from mole hills. If you want to get upset about something, how about the missed INT that cost UGA the game? Let’s face it both teams suck this year.
JacketFan
November 2nd, 2010
9:46 am
@David – So, when is the Fulmer Cup ceremony? Should look nice next to the one NC trophy from 30 years ago. Glad you guys finally ended the championship drought.
UGAg: 0-11 v/s Athens-Clarke County
Zoomie
November 2nd, 2010
9:46 am
This is ridiculous. Goes to show that those who wish to be offended will find any excuse to make it so. If gator fans want to put this in their “UGA Portfolio of Slights,” more power to them. Weak!
Hayseed Dixie
November 2nd, 2010
9:47 am
DILLIGAF,
No, actually, buddy, you’re what’s wrong with this country.
There’s these things called gentlemen’s agreement, unwritten law, honor, etc.
Rules that you don’t get punished for breaking, but you look like a jackass if you do. Or at least you used to. Now that there’s common goons like yourself with a jackass agreement to act however you want to. That’s fine.
How much character does it take to make the choke sign at a kid? None, really. Character is hard to come by, that’s why it’s valuable. I don’t expect you to know the value of it. You’d look at honor the way a chimp would look at a cell phone.
Oh and by the way, character was what got me up every morning to run and work out in the spring, which is what it takes to get playing time. We hated you trash talking dads who were living vicariously through your kids.
I was glad some of you dudes had to be put in the parking lot, cause the parks and recreation wouldn’t let you near the field. You always embarrassed us, and your spawn rarely got playing time cause they were trash talking before we even scored. Man, I hated that.
Put down the talk radio, and look up the word “honor”.
StatesBurr
November 2nd, 2010
9:47 am
USC GAMECOCK: You have one half A _ _ decent season so far and you are talking trash… NewsFlash!! You still have games left, you do have the opportunity to become nonrelevent as usual… and look at your ‘ol ball coach..throws his visor like a brat…
schultz is an idiot
November 2nd, 2010
9:48 am
You are a moron Schultz. Who cares? Did this pitiful kicker get his feelings hurt. The only good gator is made into a nice pair of boots. $uck my a$$ Schultz.