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
dogfan
November 2nd, 2010
3:01 pm
Another symbol of a program in decline.
marc
November 2nd, 2010
3:03 pm
hey bulldogs….basketball is right around the corner…hope the Athens Police dept. is ready…hahahahahahahahahahaha….go tech!!
5150 P.O.A.D
November 2nd, 2010
3:04 pm
Todd Grantham is no different than the Lil League Mom or Dad that gets in fights in the stands over a GAME. Passion is one thing. I love that fans/ FANITICS are crazy for their teams, but a COACH should be above acting the Azz. Richt acts like Tom Landry on the sideline, but Landry was a Monster at practice. He made the players work and work hard. I like that Richt treates his players with respect, but he never SWINGS the BIG STICK. Grantham and Bobo are supposed to be the Bad Cop to Richt’s Good Cop, but Granthams was letting his personal emotions get the bes of him. If Todd G waants to act that way on the sidelines then dress him out as a Cheerleader and not a COACH.
gatorsforcmr
November 2nd, 2010
3:07 pm
dawgfan said…
“Well there’s no love lost. I can honestly say that UF is the only SEC school that I refuse to pull for, and I don’t care if they’re playing Biose State for the National Championship. And further, I drop those Gator resumes in the trash as a matter of routine. Gators, I truly hate them, and I don’t want any around me.”
Spoken like a true loser. I sure your boss will fire you from your minimum wage job when he finds out you are intercepting resumes meant for him and trashing them. No hiring manager in his/her right mind would do what you indicate.
Dawgfan
November 2nd, 2010
3:08 pm
Trash them little Gators resumes. I tossed one away just the other day.
Dawgfan
November 2nd, 2010
3:09 pm
I see Gator, you don’t have a chance in hell.
Calm Down
November 2nd, 2010
3:10 pm
I don’t see the problem here……. I’m giving you a sign right now Schultz. But not the choke sign!!!
5150 P.O.A.D
November 2nd, 2010
3:13 pm
Ga was the Better Team
You are right!!!!!!!!!
UGA was the Better TEAM, but in many of Techs Losses to UGA; TECH was the better team too. It happens.
Lt. Dan was the better solider, but DA Forrest GUMP won the Medal of Honor. It Happens. I would LOVE M. Richt to teach my Bible class, but I don’t want him to lead a Platoon on the beach at Normandy. I would like Grantham to lead troops on that same beach, but I would not like him to teach my Sunday School class.
We are tlaking Leaders of young men and Richt has proven is Christian Love and Forgive has not worked. Grantham’s Kill them All and I hate the other team attitude is not BLESSED either. Their is a medium. Lad your troops and Respect your Enemy.
Dawgfan
November 2nd, 2010
3:16 pm
And I love it when I get one that actually has the little Gator logo on it; we alley-oop that thing in the trash. Not here, not ever.
College Dude
November 2nd, 2010
3:17 pm
lol @ darth gator. Love those high class gaytors….
Chris Rainey
Solomon Patton
Matt Elam
Frankie Hammond
Gary Brown
Carlos Dunlap (and let’s not forget his class on-field performance against UGA)
Janoris Jenkins
Marquis Hannah
Carl Johnson
Riley Cooper
Cam Newton
Jaques Rickerson
Torrey Davis
Jamar Hornsby
Jermaine Cunningham
Tony Joiner
Ronnie Wilson
Dustin Doe
Dorian Munroe
Brandon James
Avery Atkins
Louis Murphy
Jon Demps
Dawayne Grace
Dawgfan
November 2nd, 2010
3:20 pm
Don’t forget Brandon Spikes and his homemade pornos he made while he was at UF.
Grantparkgator
November 2nd, 2010
3:24 pm
@Gawasthebetterteam….even if that happens, we finishes at 7-5 and the best Ga can do is 7-5…Gators will get the tiebreaker and go to the better bowl game. Go to a better bowl my azz! lmao
5150 P.O.A.D
November 2nd, 2010
3:26 pm
Dawgfan
You are a FOOL!!! So just because it says UF BBA of whatever you throw it in the trash? UF and Vanderbilt are the only 2 schools in the SEC that could be in the UAA or is that the AAU? I forget.
Don’t forget DENTS Forearm Shiver to the Gator TEs head and B. Jones attempt to cripple a Colorado player with a Chop Block from behind. UGA is always class.
Shane
November 2nd, 2010
3:26 pm
Richt confirmed it for what is was….He said he was aware of it and didn’t deny it in any way…and he was right next to the guy while he was doing it….so why is everyone on here saying he was telling GA players to keep their head up? Don’t you think Richt would have said that….There isn’t speculation when the person present confirms it.
Grantparkgator
November 2nd, 2010
3:28 pm
@CollegeDude..Did you forget that UGA leads the SEC in arrest over the last 6 years?…..the Ex-AD’s DUI with a call girl is EPIC!
Dawgfan
November 2nd, 2010
3:28 pm
5150 – I wish I could read your post; but it looks to be written by a 12 year old. Could you please retype w/o as many mistakes?
CSG
November 2nd, 2010
3:30 pm
Hey Sarge, who gives a sh*t? Slow news day?
GatorDad
November 2nd, 2010
3:34 pm
Great coaching example on sportsmanship and how to condust yourself on the field…stay classy, Jawja!
DawgSupporter
November 2nd, 2010
3:35 pm
Jeff, can you be any more unprofessional?
Can you be any more pathetic?
gatorsforcmr
November 2nd, 2010
3:36 pm
dawgfan, you are a liar…as said before, no hiring manager in his/her right mind would toss a resume for the reason you state…now go back to the janitor’s closet, get your scrub brush and get back to cleaning the toilets where you belong
Tech Tard
November 2nd, 2010
3:36 pm
You are a joke Schultz. Just move out of the state already.
Dawgfan
November 2nd, 2010
3:37 pm
We’ll stay the way we are and you just keep being a nasty Gator
Dawgfan
November 2nd, 2010
3:40 pm
Oh wait a minute, there’s really no such thing as a Gator fan b/c they’re all Bandwagon fans. Isn’t the bandwagon alreay up?
who
November 2nd, 2010
3:41 pm
Did half of you guys even read the article ? Richt already said that Grantham was giving the choke sign to the kicker. Good luck making a bowl game .
Tech Tard
November 2nd, 2010
3:42 pm
Seriously, who gives a sh!t? This is so not worth discussing.
Bottom line is Chas Henry made the field goal. To the victor go the spoils.
It drives me nuts about the media these days. They make a Mt. Everest out of a mole hill. Its all, who do we blame for the PAST and whose life can we ruin today? Its garbage and I’m not buying it.
Tech Fan / Dad
November 2nd, 2010
3:43 pm
Jeff: Though I agree Grantham’s actions were inappropriate they should not overshadow the more important moral and ethical issue of Chris Rainey’s participation in this game. Don’t you believe the Rainey issue should overshadow all of the others? Should anyone who sends this type of threat to another student be allowed to continue in school much less participate in sports?
GatorDad
November 2nd, 2010
3:43 pm
coaches at UGAly may allow their players to say and do such things…but a coach doing that? Richt sure didnt seem to care one bit did he?
5150 P.O.A.D
November 2nd, 2010
3:44 pm
nice try Dawgfan.
U don’t know what UF is? U don’t know what a BBA is? You don’t know what the UAA is? That is the Asso. of the Best Colleges in the US are members of. Most are in the Big 10.
wills
November 2nd, 2010
3:45 pm
Henry didn’t choke and Grantham looks classless. Who cares? I certainly don’t see any need for an apology for this.
whatever.....
November 2nd, 2010
3:46 pm
much ado about nothing…..did chas henry even see it? is he scarred for life because of it? no and no…..who cares, report something that matters.
Dawgfan
November 2nd, 2010
3:51 pm
5150 – only you think all that is important. UGA blows UF away in academics. UGA grads generally are way better prepared than UF grads. I’ll hire a UGA, Emory, Mercer, Clemson, Auburn grad over a UF grad any day of the week. Keep dreaming homer.
» The Florida-Georgia “Choke-Gate” controversy John Clay’s Sidelines
November 2nd, 2010
3:51 pm
[...] AJC also has a picture of Grantham giving the choke sign, plus here’s the [...]
Nate
November 2nd, 2010
3:53 pm
Shultz, you’re an idiot.
Dawgfan
November 2nd, 2010
3:54 pm
Heck, I’d hire a GT grad over a UF grad any day. And I do it all the time. It’s my money, I give it to whoever I want, and the little Gator grads can stay unemployed for all I care, and they do w/ respect to my company.
Slow news week . . . Really Michael Vick, Really
November 2nd, 2010
3:59 pm
This is stupid. It is way more troublesome for head coaches to call timeout after the ball is snapped and make the kid kick it again, then to give someone the choke sign and say something like you are going to *** miss. The players own coaches have probably done a lot worst to the kid at practice then this. Give me a break. Jeff never got yelled at in High School for failing to make the top of the cheerleading pyramid.
gatorsforcmr
November 2nd, 2010
4:00 pm
dawgfan…you are hilarious…it is clear you’ve never hired anyone…
And fwiw, both UGA and UF are outstanding institutions academically. Anyone suggesting otherwise has no clue.
co-nun-drum
November 2nd, 2010
4:02 pm
Gettin your jollies aren’t you Jeff?? Why don’t you write about something someone gives a damn about?
SECWasteManagement
November 2nd, 2010
4:03 pm
Haha he is an NFL coach that just got into the college scene. What did you expect him to do? If you have ever seen “Hard Knocks” on HBO those guys cuss like sailors, so it’s not surprising to me, nor do I think Chas Henry is going to lose sleep over it because his golden toe won the game.
Dawgfan
November 2nd, 2010
4:03 pm
Oh really. It’s chrystal clear, huh? You just keep telling yourself that Gator. I trash Gator resumes and I always will, so go somewhere else.
Sarah11
November 2nd, 2010
4:03 pm
Dawgfan- I don’t know where you get your information from. UF does outrank UGA. Granted, not by a whole lot; they are both really great schools, but UF has always ranked higher. Here they are listed in US News and World Report with UF at #53 and UGA at #56. UF has only a 42% admittance rate where UGA has a 54%. It is harder to get into UF.
http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/national-universities-rankings/page+3
BillS
November 2nd, 2010
4:04 pm
Dawgfan, I’m a UGA grad. Stop talking trash. UGA and FL are great academic institutions. Period.
Gator Peter
November 2nd, 2010
4:05 pm
Hey, let’s give the benefirt of the doubt here…what if the coach himself is choking? I mean, that is the international signal for that. Lets not beat up on a guy while he’s done. Luckily he was able to dislodge his dip from his throat in time to see his team lose yet again. Even as a Gator fan, I’m glad to see he didn’t die on the sideline.
Poor misunderstood man.
Dawgfan
November 2nd, 2010
4:08 pm
Bill you’re just another idiot Gator fan. There’s a huge difference b/t UF and UGA academically, but you wouldn’t know b/c you never took a class in your life, Gator.
Dawgfan
November 2nd, 2010
4:09 pm
Any loser can get into Gator U, and they do.
BillS
November 2nd, 2010
4:10 pm
Dawgfan, Let me repeat, I’m a Class of 65, Athens. I resent your ignorance. and it’s clear you need to hire someone, whether UF grad or not, to teach you how to spell. Now go get a real job, man.
Piss on a nerd
November 2nd, 2010
4:10 pm
Seriously Jeff? Football is a man’s sport and you obviously squat when you pee. I live it and I wish Richr had that much emotion. Leave to Jeff to try and feminise a sport he has never played.
Dawgfan
November 2nd, 2010
4:11 pm
Why don’t you UF losers look at the entrance requirements of both schools and get back to me.
Sarah11
November 2nd, 2010
4:11 pm
oh, so US News and World Report just pulls those numbers out of the sky? Wow your hatred runs deep. If it is seriously all based on a football rivalry, then you have a problem.
Dawgfan
November 2nd, 2010
4:13 pm
Bill S go jump in I-85 traffic Gator, you’re not fooling anybody.
5150 P.O.A.D
November 2nd, 2010
4:13 pm
UGA football player courses of study from their Personal Bios:
2 Bio Eng, 9 Housing, 1 Anthropology, 17 Pre-Business, 1 Info Sys mgt, 3 excerise & Sports Sci, 6 Biology, 3 Pre-Journalism, 1 Structural Eng, 1 Sociology, 1 Child & Family, 2 Speach edu, 1 Econ, 2 Consumer Econ, 5 Art & Sci., 1 Middle school Edu, 1 Sports Studies, 1 Psychology, 7 Education, 5 Sports Mgt, 3 Finance, 1 Mgt, 1 Business.