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
William
November 2nd, 2010
10:55 pm
Are some of the Georgia fans just in complete denial or does not Grantham’s own admission that he got carried away with the moment register with them at all? Under either explanation – their refusal to accept reality or their inability to do so, it is a sad commentary of the state of affairs of Georgia football.
gatorsforcmr
November 2nd, 2010
11:02 pm
Howdy…nah, it is deflecting. And you obviously know squat about Rainey. Loser.
Howdy
November 2nd, 2010
11:02 pm
William are you an idiot? No one is denying what he done WE JUST DONT GIVE 2 SH*TS!!! Only people like you think this is news no the real news is how the Rainey BOY got to play football again!! Thats class- less !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
TheItalianDawg
November 2nd, 2010
11:04 pm
what a pathetic article and a pathetic tech fans…I love coach Grantham even more after reading this stupid article!
Howdy
November 2nd, 2010
11:04 pm
and your his bestfriend what a moron. gator crawl back under your rock
drbasic1
November 2nd, 2010
11:14 pm
William
you sir, are an idiot.
St.MaryDawg
November 2nd, 2010
11:14 pm
hey Gaytors and Tech fans, I’m giving you the middle finger signal
Howdy
November 2nd, 2010
11:15 pm
You know this is funny ,bare with me. I actually think Grantham gesture was a controlled emotion. Was Rainey, he indicated what he wanted to do at that exact time. Grantham just wanted him to miss the f*cking field goal. Thats not deflection just good ole common sense of whats more important FLA lovin morons. Hey got an idea if you think what Rainey has done and has no bearing, let him take your daughter out. See how that goes.
USC GAMEC0CK
November 2nd, 2010
11:16 pm
okay, i will admit it ….i love Todd Grantham’s defense….please please keep this bozo at georgia forever.
drbasic1
November 2nd, 2010
11:16 pm
StmaryDawg
dang and i just thought it was me sitting here doing that…..well done!!
drbasic1
November 2nd, 2010
11:18 pm
USC gamechickensh$t
We plan on doing just that…..
USC GAMEC0CK
November 2nd, 2010
11:19 pm
what is really revealing is that Todd Grantham admits that he fu#ck#ed up but the georgia peorple think he was great…shows how low the georgia fan base lives…they suck on whale sh!t daily and think they are smelling dafodils….IDIOTS
Harold
November 2nd, 2010
11:20 pm
Jeff, find something more important to harp on!
USC GAMEC0CK
November 2nd, 2010
11:22 pm
hey drbasic1 ….you do that …we would love to see him across the field next year…just so everyone in the georgia pee hole stadium and on national TV can witness and hear….
AND THERE goes LATTIMORE…right up georgia’s gut!!
USC loves Lattimore and Todd Grantham…oh yeah baby…hey bruh, call me
drbasic1
November 2nd, 2010
11:24 pm
gamesh$t
he didn’t f#c# up you moron, he showed emotion of the moment. Shows passion, like your ole ball sack coach, throwing a material visor on the ground at every moment, what classless act that iis huh…..ya, about the same ….you idiot
Harold
November 2nd, 2010
11:24 pm
I didn’t even read this stupid article. The only reason I got on here was to write in this blog. The only reason these “reporters”, and I say that tongue in cheek, write these articles is to get the masses fired up and to get hits on their articles. GROW UP IDIOTS! It’s a game. So what if he signaled for him to choke. Last year Ealey nearly got blinded, but he didn’t go crying to the media after the game. What did he do? He shrugged it off. Kickers are such pansies, and so are the AJC writers!
drbasic1
November 2nd, 2010
11:27 pm
guess i’ll eat chicken next year if that happens, it won’t but you will not be here on a GEORGIA blog if you were not so obseesed with all that is Georgia…..SC has no blog i guess as most can’t read anyway……oh, was that a classless act i just committed???………well dang
USC GAMEC0CK
November 2nd, 2010
11:27 pm
Dd NOT compare Todd Grantham’s dumb ass behavior with coach Steve Spurrier’s ….grantham could not even bring Spurrier coffee in the morning…don’t compare them…you just embarrasee your dumb ass self.
drbasic1
November 2nd, 2010
11:31 pm
Spurrier WILL as usual CHOKE his team right out of the SEC East Race….he is a has been, I will give you this, lattimore is very good, take him away, what do you have?….Seems your boy didn’t cut it to well in the NFL either now did he? IF and when you do win the SEC (even just the East)….come back and talk then, until then…..well you know
USC GAMEC0CK
November 2nd, 2010
11:31 pm
Hey nut sack…i live in Atlanta and read this paper and comment on stuff too….deal with it….and don’t get mad at me cuz you got a dip wad as a DC….your coach hired the idiot…i had nothing to do with it …but i like him as your DC…believe me….I LIKE him as your DC…ALOT….you can bank on that too.
Dumb Dogs
November 2nd, 2010
11:34 pm
Stupid Inbred Dawg Fan Base
Look at the early posts about how these “dawg” fans were at the game saying it was not a choke sign, but a signal call, or telling them to keep their chins up on the play….. what morons.
Granthem is a hack and needs to take his man boobs and PMS med and go somewhere else. This guy just knows how to scream and doesn’t know how to coach. Why do the players even listen to a bush league guy like this….
Why would any recruit want to come to UGA.
Oh yea Dawg putzers…. this is only a story that Jeff Shultz would write…. cmon and get your heads out of the sand dawgies…. it was on the Jim Rome show, Fox Sports, ESPN, etc…
Face it your program
is a joke
on
and
off
the
field…
Sic’em Granthem – you dumb ignorant dawg.
Gators will always rule you. 18 of 21!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
drbasic1
November 2nd, 2010
11:35 pm
You just keep liking him and you will get used to losing to him…Oh so your really a fan of the joke by coke….that figures….our conversation just ended….exposed!!……….Guess SC has no job for you there huh?
USC GAMEC0CK
November 2nd, 2010
11:35 pm
last i looked….your dip wad DC coached your team against my USC and my team ripped your team a new ass…hole….i remember it like it was yesterday….don’t you?
drbasic1
November 2nd, 2010
11:36 pm
Ya we may suck this year, but again, come talk to me when you win something….like the SEC EAST???………..CHOKE!!!!!
drbasic1
November 2nd, 2010
11:38 pm
Well i guess beating us in our off year, well that was indeed a major accomplishment for the chickens. Something you should remember i guess….low goals i assume
Further lack of class
November 2nd, 2010
11:38 pm
Granthem refused to apologize to the kid. What a bush league classless act.
We don’t need this in the UGA program with all the crap we have had to deal with on and off the field this year.
USC GAMEC0CK
November 2nd, 2010
11:39 pm
USC lovers Todd Grantham’s defense…you need to keep this nut sack as your DC…got it? I am demanding it so get’r done…write up that long term contract NOW…BOY.
drbasic1
November 2nd, 2010
11:40 pm
But alas lets face it, cream of the crop this year is from the west and neither of us are there, yess you beat bama, congrats, just don’t see it happening again, and if its Auburn (providing you don’t choke and make it that far)….well…..lattimore vs newton…..hmmm
USC GAMEC0CK
November 2nd, 2010
11:44 pm
hey pee wee….go to bed….don’t you remember it is a school day tomorrow and you better have your homrwork too…don’t lie and blame the dog either…BTW, we both agree on Todd Grantham so we don’t have to argue about him….we both know he is a ditz…doesn’t know anymore about defense than you do.
USC GAMEC0CK
November 2nd, 2010
11:50 pm
Read the HEADLINE…says it all….
but don’t fire the bozo…keep him in charge of that weefense
and keep the other bozo in charge of the offense.
Howdy
November 2nd, 2010
11:52 pm
Do you even know football? The 3 4 defense takes at least 2 to 3 years to install with the right kinda players, and recruiting. I think he has done a helluva job already. Its not even his recruiting class ,the players had no knowledge of how to even play the 3 4. I think, no, I know their is better things to come. Anyone with football knowledge knows this is true. Did Alabama come out undefeated Sabean first year no, If memory serves me it was not a good season, but the second season was and the 3rd year was great. enough said.
USC GAMEC0CK
November 2nd, 2010
11:58 pm
you are right…it will take at least 3 or 4 years to get that 3 4 defense installed and yes he does not have :his: players…oh yeah you are on the money there with that…
if you believe that horse sh!t, i have a brigde you can buy in arizona…i will even sell it cheap.
your post proves you know nothing about football…you only parrot what you read on blogs or hear your other know nothing friends tell you….where i come from….you are a qualified IDIOT or MORON…take your pick.
Drew
November 3rd, 2010
12:28 am
Cry me a river. I don’t care what inappropriate ccomments he yells at the opposing team. THEY ARE NOT OUR FRIENDS. I’m sick of hearing about what’s not “nice, sportsmanlike, or professional”. Get over it. The world isn’t a fair and nice and kind and loving place. It’s a harsh place that will chew you up and spit you out. I loathe the Florida Gators. I love that we have a DC who wants to see their kicker miss a crucial kick and lose the game, because it means we can win the game. So what if his feelings get hurt? Seriously?!?!?
USC GAMEC0CK
November 3rd, 2010
12:34 am
It’s not about the kicker’s feelings….Moron
BoWeevil
November 3rd, 2010
12:52 am
Jeff Schultz,
Where did you go to school ?
Florida ?
Roy Wood
November 3rd, 2010
1:04 am
I think there are a lot of people try to find things about UGA to complain about who cares about a coach grabbing his throat.and to think someone would mention thugs in connection with UGA ours are only speeding tickets and duis Fla cleans out the jail before uga game .At least no one has threatened to kill anyone buts that FLA so it is OK.You people need to get a life.Hell if I were Richt I would quit he would not be out of work 6 mos.We could then go back to Ray Goff.
Howdy
November 3rd, 2010
1:10 am
lol
whatfor
November 3rd, 2010
1:23 am
Grantham proved that he was the RIGHT pick for UGA and their classless team: Just another THUG DAWG
BringThePain
November 3rd, 2010
1:37 am
LMAO at all the retards calling Jeff Schultz “trash” and “pathetic” for writing this, when EVERY other sports media outlet in the country is writing (or talking) about it to some extent.
I agree, it’s not like Grantham punched UF’s kicker in the nuts or something… But it is one of the more childish and classless things I’ve seen a coach do.
thug gator
November 3rd, 2010
2:49 am
what about meyer doing the gator chomp in front of the ga student body? and he is the HEAD coach. what say you mr. schultz
3rdgenDawg
November 3rd, 2010
3:26 am
At least he didn’t tell the punter “time to die”.. Oh the firm slap on the wrist he would get from that.. Of course Grantham could have stolen all the video equipment in the stadium, get fired, and Auburn would offer him a job as their new DC with a raise..
Cedric
November 3rd, 2010
6:19 am
who cares, like I said when the year first started, “if they win nobody will care about anything. If they lose people will complain about everything.”
I could care less what an assistant coach does on the sideline. We have a sorry team with no expectations for this year.
Lets stop focusing on this sorry excuse for a college football team in Athens and look at the NBA team we have in our wonderful city.
Go Hawks
Boses
November 3rd, 2010
6:33 am
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
RGP
November 3rd, 2010
6:51 am
Tea Party civility has even entered the coaching ranks.
01HAWK
November 3rd, 2010
7:00 am
UGA………………………….Disgrace to the SEC once again. Should anyone be surprised by this bunch of THUG players and COACHES.
Kyle
November 3rd, 2010
7:19 am
You are a complete and total Moron and Idiot Jeff……
5051 P.O.A.D.
November 3rd, 2010
7:39 am
Schultz, You and anyone else offended by CTG and his choke comment and gesture are frail and should stay away from contact sports such as fooball. I hope you recover from this hideous malady soon. Be sure you don’t watch the Dawgs play GT as it could get ugly for your beloved GT.
59bulldawg
November 3rd, 2010
7:47 am
I agree it wasn’t a smart move by Grantham . . . for a number of reasons. And you might have a point if Henry were a pee wee league player. But he’s not and way too much is being made of this. I find it odd that in a country where 18 year olds are considered emotionally mature enough to send to Iraq and Afghanistan to fight and die, the media make a big deal about a 44-year-old college coaching grabbing his throat multiple times to unnerve the opponent’s 21-year-old kicker. It probably made the kicker mad . . . it probably embarrassed him . . . it probably made him determined to prove Grantham wrong. But I don’t think the kid was psychologically scarred for the rest of his life. Somehow I think he’ll get over it. It’s not exactly the same as taking Fallujah. I think it reflects poorly on Grantham but the AJC is beating a dead horse just because it knows it’ll get a large number of respondents. Just move on already.
gtforever
November 3rd, 2010
7:52 am
This is all too funny…. This is hardly the worst thing that has come out of this program….. UGA has and will always be a TOTAL disgrace to this state. The idoits that think this is no big deal are delusional…. Just like Jan Kemp, Harrick, and a multetude of NCAA infractions, it’s no big deal..
1785 Dawg
November 3rd, 2010
7:54 am
Jeff, you are being hypocritical.
How many times have you shot your mouth off in the newspaper, only for the sensationalism of a headline, and fifty cents? I like Todd Grantham’s emotion in the game, and I look forward to watching his defenses in the future.