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
JaxDawgMan
November 1st, 2010
3:44 pm
All these years I’ve been thinking how tough the Gator team is….but they are really quite senstitive. Aren’t they?
CDAWG
November 1st, 2010
3:45 pm
Anyone that has ever played football knows how emotional games can be. I think Richt needs to take the muzzle off of Grantham and let him fire this team up.
Mike
November 1st, 2010
3:46 pm
Actually what happened was ol’ GratHAM was eating a few hot dogs on the sideline and started to choke on it. Rodney had to come up and give him the heimlich before the UF kick.
Lesson learned…Grantham can eat before the game, during halftime, and after the game, just not during it.
18-of-21forthemightygators
November 1st, 2010
3:47 pm
You guys seriously believe it was anything other than a choke message to the Gator kicker? Did you see the interview with Chas after the game, asking about his reaction to the UGA coach yelling at him to choke? Chas dismissed it as nothing but why don’t you clowns man up and stop denying the obvious.
I’m just glad that the UGA coaching staff is giving the Gators a little extra motivation for next year. The endzone dance has kinda worn off after a couple of beatdowns…as is clear given how close this years score was. You can bet that the Urbanator will use this to max advantage for next year’s dawgstomp.
Dagny
November 1st, 2010
3:47 pm
When is it going to end?
When Mark Richt leaves, not before.
The Cesspool of the South.
That bears repeating: The Cesspool of the South.
What else would you expect at the permanent home of the Fulmer Cup?
Dr. Richard Handler
November 1st, 2010
3:48 pm
Soulja Boy– Georgia plays IDAHO STATE! Not sure they could beat Idaho.
WalkerMuhDawg
November 1st, 2010
3:49 pm
Typical Shultz. Trying to stir up trouble every chance you get. I don’t see the big deal. Spurrier does far worse many times each game! They’re competitive. So?
JB
November 1st, 2010
3:49 pm
I don’t know, did Meyer play a thug that should have been kicked out of the University of Florida, Just Say’n……..glad somebody on that sideline has a pulse……..Grantham already knows he made a mistake taking this Job. He’s working for a man, let’s just say, who doesn’t think like most Head football coach’s.
Nate
November 1st, 2010
3:50 pm
Jeff,
What kind of journalism is this? This looks like stirring the pot, rather than honest journalism. I just thought it would be beneath you to take a brief screenshot, and jump to an absurd conclusion. Furthermore, I’ve heard of immature kids yelling choke, but never seen or heard of anyone grabbing their neck in hopes the kicker will see them? This whole thing is far-fetched and a waste of time.
Please leave this sort of thing to TMZ and political pundits. Geez
Dorsey Hill
November 1st, 2010
3:50 pm
Of course, if someone wanted to compare this speculation to an actual event. Some might remember the time that Bo Schembechler went to the hash mark and screamed at the OSU kicker a number of profanities the substance of which was that he was going to miss the game winning kick. He didn’t, of course. Clearly however Bo was fired and Michigan was then and is still known as a classless university. On the other maybe Bo is the most revered coach ever at one of the pre-eminent institutions in America both academically and athletically.
Jeff, I’d call you stupid, but I really don’t want to insult stupid people. They have enough trouble with out being associated with the likes of you.
UGAKEV
November 1st, 2010
3:51 pm
I see no significant story at all here…
Too tough 44
November 1st, 2010
3:52 pm
Blah Blah Blah….its a call for the defense to block the kick! NOT nearly as digusting as allowing “Time to Die,B###h” on the field. If I said that, I would still be in jail! If it was choke sign, so be it…nothing wrong with that, its football this team needs some fire! CMR need to surround himself with a little better coaching staff to ensure his job! Just as the great Bear Bryant said he did! Surround yourself with good people, those who’s strengths are your weanknesses!…
UGAKEV
November 1st, 2010
3:53 pm
Why was this story even written? Whats the significants of a coach telling a kicker to choke? Thats ridiculous I use to do that all the time to players when I played sports…lol…Are you kidding me?
Ealey
November 1st, 2010
3:53 pm
I think I saw Spikes on the sideline giving the “eye-gouge” signal
TallyDawg
November 1st, 2010
3:54 pm
At least he acts like it matters. Look at preacher Richt. He looks like he’s walking to sunday school with not a care in the world. Maybe if we had a coach with some fire in his belly, it’d rub off on the players as well. Richt is worthless as a HC. I’m done with his sorry A$$.
gdawginkalamazoo
November 1st, 2010
3:54 pm
Dorsey Hill, hilarious post!
CDAWG
November 1st, 2010
3:54 pm
That is clearly a sign telling his tackles to choke the “A” gap and allow the LB’s to flood the “B” gap to block the kick; Yep seen that one before. Now Grantham is going to have to change his sign because everyone knows it now.
Big L
November 1st, 2010
3:54 pm
Who cares? Are we really discussing a choking hand gesture. This is a non story . But I am glad someone is acting like winning matters. I,ll take low class for wins. Works for Urban Meyer and Chris Rainey.
rincon dawg
November 1st, 2010
3:54 pm
the problem lies with the man in front of Coach Grantham. period.
jellybeandawg
November 1st, 2010
3:54 pm
This was cleraly a defensive signal.
If he was giving the choke sign, he would be directing it at Richt..
J Clay
November 1st, 2010
3:55 pm
Perhaps he was trying to show potential future employers that Coach Mark Richt and the offensive genious Mike Bobo had choked this game away – that it was not all his fault!
jellybeandawg
November 1st, 2010
3:55 pm
This was cleraly a defensive signal.
If he was giving the choke sign, he would be directing it at Richt i.e. Coach Valium.
dlagator
November 1st, 2010
3:55 pm
I think he was talking about the choke job by the UGA QB…
Besides who cares…maybe he should have text him “TIME TO MISS”
gdawginkalamazoo
November 1st, 2010
3:56 pm
Hey Schultzie, where were you sitting exactly, it could have been directed at you!
Observer
November 1st, 2010
3:56 pm
Kevin – If I was a fan of a school with a losing record (and I thank God I’m not), I don’t think I would be talking smack to my in-state rival that happens to have a winning record. Just sayin…
KimZ'spackage
November 1st, 2010
3:56 pm
The Gators are just happy Ben Jones didn’t try to cripple one of their players with a from behind chop block like in the Colorado game
dawgsux
November 1st, 2010
3:56 pm
Was that at Murray, Richt or himself? The dawgs talk about class except themselves.
This is why Ga. has the problems off the field that it has. Heck, Richt has them going on right behind his back.
18 out of 21…..live with it
G
November 1st, 2010
3:57 pm
Jeff you are a joke my friend. Grantham was calling in a play to the defense. Oh, Jeff what do you think about Urban Meyer doing the gaytor chop at GA fans as he was leaving the field?
jtdawg
November 1st, 2010
3:57 pm
This is stupid.
I wasn’t offended by the Spikes thing last year either, though he did need a talkin’ to.
AJ’s endzone celebration last year – big deal and stupid penlaty
King’’s celebration – eh, don’t try to show up the other team – disrespectful
07 endzone dance – disgraceful – karma payback hurts.
Black helmets? Stupid showoff stuff – no place for it.
Kids dancing over downed players after big hits – no place for it.
THis? Meh. Media Sensationalism.
Anonymous
November 1st, 2010
3:57 pm
Enter your comments here
Ron Roberts
November 1st, 2010
3:57 pm
“So what?”
jaglaw
November 1st, 2010
3:57 pm
He is simply reminding Rainey what he did to the UF student. Its called the “Rainey” play, designed to remind the UGA defenders what will happen if they dont block the kick.
jtdawg
November 1st, 2010
3:57 pm
Shultz,
I see you mailed it in today – and still get payed for it.
Must be nice….
G
November 1st, 2010
3:58 pm
I am just happy no gator player poked any of our running backs eyes out this year!
meh
November 1st, 2010
3:58 pm
maybe his neck was itching
JB
November 1st, 2010
3:58 pm
The story here is to paint this program in the worst possible light….. Maybe is the progressive liberal thing vs Christianity thing…..who knows….I Know of no other program that gets scrutinized on a daily basis in a city of 5 million people plus the State and beyond as this one.
This whole sports section is plastered with close examination Daily. It’s really not fair. I go to other papers, ( the Gainesville Sun) and maybe 2-3 stories over a 2 week period about Gators losing three in a row. Georgia gets that many a day. I ‘m tired of it.
Outsider
November 1st, 2010
3:58 pm
Not a dawg fan or a gator fan, but Georgia fans, assuming any of this is accurate and not taken completely out of context, this is problematic. The program, for a few years now, has been mediocre on the field, and the off-the-field issues are embarrassing. Now, against your biggest rival, one of your assistant coaches is captured, on national television, acting like a spoiled 13 year old. It appears the Dawg is rotting from the head.
Runner up Richt
November 1st, 2010
3:58 pm
He was just wanting some more of my JESUS JUICE
Mr. Football
November 1st, 2010
3:58 pm
Come on shultz.. this is a pretty weak story. What if he was saying “choke”? he meant ” miss” not “die”. Looks like your really grasping for something negative to write about. I think UGA’s record is negative enough. See you later at the club.
jellybeandawg
November 1st, 2010
3:59 pm
“jtdawg
November 1st, 2010
3:57 pm
Shultz,
I see you mailed it in today – and still get payed for it.
Must be nice….”
Mark Richt does it every Saturday and gets paid WAY more then Schultz.
maybe next year
November 1st, 2010
3:59 pm
Grantham fits in perfectly with the rest of the thugs at UGA!
jtdawg
November 1st, 2010
3:59 pm
KimZ’spackage -
THAT was VERY disrespectful and deserved at least a 2 – game suspension.
This is a precise reason why Richt should have his feet held to the fire, just like Meyer for Rainey – no place for that on a disciplined football team.
gdawginkalamazoo
November 1st, 2010
4:00 pm
Yeah, well this is a classic one too. Sociologist and Head Coach in Waiting Will Muschamp talking about Arkansas…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZSy2JH8iu4
SoCal Dawg
November 1st, 2010
4:00 pm
So what if he did!? 50% of the crowed was giving the choke sign, the other half had their fingers crossed. I guess CMR shouldn’t have called a time out to try and make him “CHOKE” either? This is football not golf. Give me a break.
DILLIGAF
November 1st, 2010
4:00 pm
Schultz, I typically enjoy your posts, not so much for your sports insight but more for your humor. I think you missed your true calling. I have got to say that you are really trying to stir things up with this one.
I would just about bet that this is a motion as part of a defensive play call. I seriously doubt that a grown man and a person under the spotlight on the sideline would make the “choke” sign even in the heat of battle.
Hell, if he wanted to distract him, he should have turned around and mooned him.
TY
November 1st, 2010
4:00 pm
Good Grief! What a Non-story this is. Stirring the pot aren’t we Jeff. Knowing that you will get a bunch to take the hook. Can you not come up with a better Blog than this? I’ve seen better out of you. Don’t stoop. I think your just kicking a dawg when he’s down and enjoying it.
Perplexed
November 1st, 2010
4:01 pm
Please if you’re so immature that you still start sentences with the word “dude” then please don’t write in public.
dlagator
November 1st, 2010
4:01 pm
I thinks it funny how you guys actually think you know the DC’s signals…I’m real sure it had something to to with shooting the “A” gap or blowing the “B” gap…Cause you guys know! Let me guess…you also stayed at a HOliday Inn Express last night…
Munson's Toupee
November 1st, 2010
4:01 pm
What Would Damon Do?
SoCal Dawg
November 1st, 2010
4:01 pm
crowd