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
Danny
November 2nd, 2010
9:48 am
I would also love to see Florida make a deal about this…adding to ‘Gator played Felon’s’ previous comment, didn’t Brandon Spike EYE GAUGE Ealy last year. Their player did not motion eye gauge, they actually intended to cause harm…the result, 1 quarter (or half) suspense from the coach. Way to go Urban! You showed him. I lost repect for the NCAA, UF, and the SEC for not kicking his @$$ off the team, out of the NCAA and out of school. Cam Newton “received stolen property” and you kick him off the team…however, your star linebacker tries to poke someone’s eye out because he plays “emotional” and you grant him asylum…REAL GREAT!
the silent majority
November 2nd, 2010
9:48 am
He was telling him “time to die”. You know, like Rainey tells people when he is gonna kill them and then plays against UGA anyway.
Heard It All Before
November 2nd, 2010
9:50 am
I’m going to cut Grantham some slack here. Three times out of 21, that choke sign might actually work. See you Dawgs again next October.
Oldtimegator
November 2nd, 2010
9:50 am
Really?? What idiot would say it was a “defensive play call” with all evidence clearly showing it was a classless, stupid gesture from a coach. NCAA should investigate and suspend Grantham if the AD doesn’t fire him first.
Danny
November 2nd, 2010
9:52 am
I hope some of these comments get under Shultz skin…you’re only stirring the pot. It’s time to grow up and quit trying to make a bid geal out of nothing. YOU ARE A MORON grow up.
UGA'72
November 2nd, 2010
9:53 am
The attention given Grantham’s touching of the throat is crap. So what if an opposing coach signals or yells for a player on the other team to choke during a game-winning field goal attempt. What did you expect him to do: cheer Henry on? Find something worthwhile to write about.
dawgs for grantham
November 2nd, 2010
9:54 am
This is nothing compared to Brandon Spikes’ eye gouge in last years game. At least Grantham just motions it instead of having his players personally choke Henry… Enough said. Florida will always play dirty & get away with it while Georgia takes heat over a damn hand motion!
Oldtimegator
November 2nd, 2010
9:54 am
At least we own up to our players idiocy. You make yourself look classless and stupid to defend this Neanderthal. Certainly we have had our share of 5* players with 1* intelligence. Everyone has them…that isn’t the issue. If Richt had any balls at all, he would fire this idiot…for the gesture AND for his poor coaching!!
dawgs for grantham
November 2nd, 2010
9:55 am
@ Danny… EXACTLY my point!!
Danny
November 2nd, 2010
9:55 am
Oldtimegator….
So you are all for letting a felon play on the team, and letting someone who actually tried to inflict harm on another player on your team? Your statement contradicts what the “Gator Nation” does/says.
Tell me you honest opinion, how would have you handled C. Rainey & B. Spikes?
Danny
November 2nd, 2010
9:57 am
lol, maybe Grantham SHOULD in fact go choke the kicker…then maybe there should be a discussion.
Oldtimegator…i await your response. If no answer, I assume you are a coward and are admitting defeat.
Artie
November 2nd, 2010
9:58 am
It’s crap like this that makes it sooooooooo easy to root AGAINST the Dogs.
Tucker
November 2nd, 2010
10:02 am
If you are going to call a timeout to make the kicker “choke”, what’s wrong with making sure he gets the message? Some of these college football players are not all that bright.
Danny
November 2nd, 2010
10:03 am
@Artie
I could personally carless whether you root for the DAWGS or not. You’re just like f’n Shultz, make a big deal out of nothing. You could have watched the replay a 1,000 times and never once thought anything of it…as soon as the media cries foul you jump on board. Nice to know that you are suggestible to media’s propaganda!
Please Keep Todd Grantham
November 2nd, 2010
10:03 am
As long as Todd Grantham is the DC, Florida will continue to win. UGA should try and get FAMU on the schedule so they can beat a team from there.
Danny
November 2nd, 2010
10:03 am
@ Tucker
Great comment, lol
Rooster
November 2nd, 2010
10:04 am
Danny
Why don’t you go choke on a chicken wing you moron.
LB Jones
November 2nd, 2010
10:05 am
Ya’ll will have to excuse Danny this morning. He’s a retard and didn’t take his medication. Back to the corner Danny.
Sasheed
November 2nd, 2010
10:08 am
How many UGA coaches does it take to screw in a light bulb?
Three Danny’s. LOL
Pot Meet Kettle
November 2nd, 2010
10:08 am
I thought I would summarize most of the 1,200+ comments on this blog….
Ours sometimes smells a little but Florida’s REALLY stinks.
Hypocritical and Pathetic.
Rory
November 2nd, 2010
10:09 am
HA HA HA
Good one Sasheed!!!!!! Danny is an idiot!!!!!!!! HA HA HA
Jim
November 2nd, 2010
10:10 am
Who cares if he’s giving them the choke sign? At least he’s less predictable than Ol’ “handoff up the middle on second down” Bobo…
DILLIGAF
November 2nd, 2010
10:10 am
Hayseed Dixie:
“There’s these things called gentlemen’s agreement, unwritten law, honor, etc.”
Gentlemen’s agreement? We’re talking about Div.1 college football, this isn’t tennis!
Sorry to hit a nerve, obviously, you must be one of the “self entitled” ones who worked out hard to get a spot on the tennis team (not that there’s anything wrong with playing tennis). I do know what honor and character mean, I also know what it takes to work hard through blood, sweat and tears having played football from Pop Warner through high school and acheiving two wrestling state championships and turning down a scholarship in order to pursue a career through my alma mater, UGA.
You’re wrong, I am everything that is right with this country, I work hard, stand up for my beliefs and give respect just as I expect it in return. I don’t have to live vicariously through my kid. I was kidding about my kid razzing yours, My son commited one act of unsportsmanlike conduct and believe me, he wouldn’t do it again. He doesn’t talk trash and neither do I, I would never condone it.
And for the record, I don’t condone what Grantham did, not because he did it to the kid, trust me, the kid can handle it, I think it was unprofessional and another embarrassment to UGA. I’m tired of all of the nonsense that this program has endured recently.
ThUGA
November 2nd, 2010
10:10 am
Do THUG coaches recruit THUG athletes, or do THUG athletes turn coaches to THUGs?
ClantonDawg
November 2nd, 2010
10:10 am
I like it…….let the emotions fly baby!!!
timthebrave
November 2nd, 2010
10:12 am
I do the choke sign to my friends when we play pool if they are shooting at the 8 ball. If Grantham did that to Murray than you have a story……This doesn’t even deserve an apology IMO
Mr. I'm a Liar
November 2nd, 2010
10:12 am
Mark Richt openly and bold faced lied on his radio show last night concerning this. Mark Richt is a hypocrital jerk if there ever was one. What parent would want thier kid playing for him?
GH
November 2nd, 2010
10:17 am
It was the best strategy our coaching staff has had to offer all season.
DILLIGAF
November 2nd, 2010
10:18 am
Mr. I’m a Liar:
“Mark Richt is a hypocrital jerk if there ever was one. What parent would want thier kid playing for him?”
I guess you would be better off with your kid playing for Urban Meyer, right?
bullwinkle
November 2nd, 2010
10:19 am
I’m gonna say Grantham’s choke sign was offset by the fact that Richt called his “icing” timeout BEFORE the snap was about to happen — unlike many coaches including Urban Meyer who time it so that the kicker goes through with it and it doesn’t count and then if he made it he has to make it again. That is total bush league. Richt showed a little class, even if his DC didn’t.
Steve
November 2nd, 2010
10:25 am
How about Meyer jogging to the Georgia section after the game to do the Gator chomp? Equally classless.
timthebrave
November 2nd, 2010
10:27 am
Mr. I’m a Liar, Your right its much better for your kid to play with meyer…unless she’s a girl….than it’s time to die bit**
timthebrave
November 2nd, 2010
10:28 am
I was yelling choke at the screen too. If he threatened to choke him than we have a story……I swear this country has turned into a bunch of pc pu****
woody hayes
November 2nd, 2010
10:29 am
I cannot believe a sideline coach would stoop this low…………………………
simplythetruth
November 2nd, 2010
10:30 am
Meyer didn’t care, Henry didn’t care, even Grantham’s H.C. doesn’t care. The end result was Grantham just ain’t that intimidating to a Gator , even a punter/placekicker. Van Gorder has got to be laughing his butt off at you, Grantham. You couldn’t make it in the NFL and when Van Gorder was here, he didn’t rely on childish crap you are trying to pull. He at least also resembled a coach.
Did Grantham give Florida kicker the ‘choke’ sign? (VIDEO: Yes, he did: FOUR … – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) by SIP Trunking Providers
November 2nd, 2010
10:31 am
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Typical Gator Fan
November 2nd, 2010
10:31 am
I watched the film again. He actually said “time to die, b#tch.” so everything is ok.
Dawgfan
November 2nd, 2010
10:35 am
Shultz, you know this kinda crap pisses me off. What, you moron? You never seen coaches give signs to players? Who knows what it means. This is Natioinal Enquirer type reporting. This total BS on your part, you poor excuse for a “journalist.” Up till now you’ve written decent articles, but this has changed my perception of you. You are trash and I’ll never read another article of yours or comment on another article of yours for as long as I live. You are a piece of dirt.
Big Bee
November 2nd, 2010
10:38 am
Stay class UGA!
Dawgfan
November 2nd, 2010
10:39 am
Excuse me, I will comment from now on. And you’ll know who I am b/c I will be the one calling you a piece of trash on every article you write from now on.
Dawgfan
November 2nd, 2010
10:40 am
Schultz is trash
Really
November 2nd, 2010
10:42 am
Who cares. really?! is this what sports writers look for; not what happens on the field but how they try to find anything they can turn into drama. you should work for espn Jeff
11 Arrests 4 Wins
November 2nd, 2010
10:51 am
So the thug Caleb King wouldn’t name who paid his fine in Walton County on June 20th. Wow. Gee…I wonder…what about the STUDENTS that assume responsiblilities for their actions, and actually ARE students, there for pursuit of an education?
But NO—not at THUG-U. What a bunch of THUGS and HOODLUMS you call student-atheletes. So-called football team is just an embarrassement to the State of Georgia.
Smart like a Fox
November 2nd, 2010
10:51 am
thats the problem with dogs……every time you turn around you’re stepping in it
Dawgfan
November 2nd, 2010
10:52 am
Shultz is trash
shankit
November 2nd, 2010
10:53 am
Athens is a reincarnated Tallahassee.
Fans, Thugs, Mickey Andrews would
have done the same thing.
Ol’ Woody would have gone out and
slugged him
guydog
November 2nd, 2010
10:53 am
I’m pretty sure Grantham was giving signals to his defense…as in…”go ahead and choke another game to UF, because no matter the coach or players, we will always lose this game, because no one in this organization is man enough to step up and make a play to win the game.”
Dawgfan
November 2nd, 2010
10:53 am
.Shultz is Trash
Dawgfan
November 2nd, 2010
10:55 am
Um Shultz is Trash
CPO Dawg
November 2nd, 2010
10:55 am
I guess that`s not as bad as playing a felon (Rainey).