Todd Grantham is YouTube gold — and that’s a problem
Todd Grantham's actions at Vanderbilt shouldn't be defended by anybody. (Johnny Crawford/AJC)
I hadn’t planned on writing any more about the incident between Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham and Vanderbilt coach James Franklin Saturday night. But I’ve been astounded by how many Bulldogs fans have come to Grantham’s defense, so let me just get this out once:
There’s a line between emotion and stupidity, and Grantham crossed it.
Coach Mark Richt knows as much. Athletic director Greg McGarity, who has met with Grantham according to our Chip Towers, knows as much. The SEC is reviewing the incident.
Even Grantham — once he cooled down 36 hours later — somewhat admits he overreacted, saying this morning: “… It was unfortunate that things escalated to a confrontation. However, I’ll use it as a learning experience for myself as well as my players so that we all become better men.”
To recap quickly (video below): The Georgia-Vanderbilt game was an emotional one (more than one would have expected). Georgia had a few personal fouls (Kwame Geathers even punching a Vandy player while he was down). Some Dogs defensive players reportedly were upset about Vandy’s cut-blocking tactics.
But none of that excuses the way Grantham acted during a post-game feud with Franklin. For one, he’s a college coach. There something to be said about setting an example for youth .This has nothing to do with Georgia needing to show more emotion and a coach trying to fire up his troops. Emotion can be more of a weakness than a strength.
Secondly, some folks get the benefit of the doubt. Grantham is not one of them. Last season, he gave the choke sign to Florida kicker Chas Henry multiple times before the Dallas, Ga., native nailed a 36-yard field goal in overtime to give the Gators a 34-31 win in Jacksonville. (See video below.) That was even worse than this because it was a 44-year-old coach taunting a 21-year-old college kid.
A few days after that game, Grantham expressed regret about the incident, saying, “As a competitor, sometimes you get caught up in the heat of the moment. I wish the situation hadn’t happened.”
This makes it two straight seasons Grantham has been a YouTube sensation (or embarrassment). With the Florida game coming up, he might want to turn the other way during field goal attempts.
And from now on, just walk off the field after the game and avoid the handshakes. It’s clear he needs some alone time first.
Grantham after Vanderbilt game
Grantham against Florida last season
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933 comments Add your comment
Newbomber
October 17th, 2011
1:52 pm
First off anyone 21 isn’t a kid. He, or she, is an adult. If one of these “21 year old kids” get in trouble you are more than willing to to point that fact out. Second, how many times have you stated that CMR was to calm. It seems to me that you can’t make your mind up. CG is just what UGA needs, someone with emotion. If that means a little youtube time, then so be it.
Quit being a hypocrite.
yadda, yadda, yadda.....
October 17th, 2011
1:53 pm
Kiss The Ring
October 17th, 2011
1:51 pm
Talk about over the top. Who is your “fav” team?
Beast from the East
October 17th, 2011
1:53 pm
yadda,
Who’s giving Franklin a pass? He’s in the wrong, as well. I just don’t undertsand the same people standing up for Grantham because he’s “defending our players” are the same ones downplaying his actions last year. HYPOCRITES!
Jeff Schultz
October 17th, 2011
1:54 pm
Yadda, yadda, yadda — Technically I said his/her post was stupid. But wouldn’t deny that he/she might be also.
yadda, yadda, yadda.....
October 17th, 2011
1:56 pm
Beast from the East
October 17th, 2011
1:53 pm
Did any “journalist” at the AJC initially hold Franklin culpable at any level? Nah. It was all Grantham’s fault.
Gene
October 17th, 2011
1:59 pm
Why should you be “embarrassed” for UGA…You are an embarrassment everyday as a crappy sportswriter that thinks he is a humorist…I could care less if you are embarrassed…Get a (real) Life not make believe…
GTBob
October 17th, 2011
2:00 pm
Anybody read this from CNN today:
“It took everything in its power for Georgia to survive Saturday at Vanderbilt, 33-28, after which defensive coordinator Todd Grantham nearly ignited a brawl with his buffoonish tantrum at Commodores head coach James Franklin.”
Nice publicity you are getting. UGA fans are right though, its all Jeff Schultz being a big meanie.
GaDawgs7
October 17th, 2011
2:00 pm
And if anyone should know about crossing that line into stupidity, it would be an AJC write that does it on a daily basis!
rally
October 17th, 2011
2:01 pm
Just mentioned this incident on Sports Talk here in Nashville. Host says Grantham is a white trash, red neck loser who is an embarrassment to Georgia.
Dirty Dawg
October 17th, 2011
2:01 pm
Look Shultzie, there were plenty of opportunities for folks to have derailed this incident, but none did – which is usually the case when bad stuff happens, you know the age-old question and answer of, ‘What were you thinking?…and…’It seemed like a good idea at the time.’
Grantham reacted to Franklin…who reacted to Shawn Williams… who reacted to an emotional game victory where Georgia felt Vandy had been getting away with some dangerous, and likely illegal, blocks all night long…which, arguably, were a strategy intended to ‘bait’ Georgia into reacting inappropriately – which we did. So just where does the ‘guilt’ start or end?
And for you to say that ‘Kwame Geathers even punched a Vandy player while he was down’ really pi$$es me off and says a lot about you and your prejudices . He was down, the Vandy guy, as well as Geathers, because he had just clipped him – hell, even the idiot announcers said as much – and for you to ‘couch’ it as some sort of unprovoked act is bullshit. So let’s see if the SEC will ‘review’ all that, along with the refs’ response to it.
Your point that Grantham has gotten himself a reputation for flying off the handle is probably accurate…but be aware that to Georgia fans your reputation for taking sides against us is firmly set and won’t be forgotten.
One final thing, just when do you intend to take offense to Paul Johnson, as well as that wonderful new head coach at Florida that seems to have gone out of his way to burn any Georgia bridges that may have been there, for their cussin’ and berating players and officials, with cameras right on ‘em? I’m not holding my breath.
.
October 17th, 2011
2:03 pm
@rally — Fancy that, at sports talk radio guy in Nashville is engaging in pot-stirring for the locals…wow that is a credible critique over the whole event.
yadda, yadda, yadda.....
October 17th, 2011
2:05 pm
GTBob
October 17th, 2011
2:00 pm
Has tech overcome the publicity from the NCAA busting the football team?
Swarles Barkley
October 17th, 2011
2:05 pm
GaDawgs7:
I agree completely. Schultz can’t get enough of this opportunity to bash UGA. I used to respect the AJC, but now all I see is negative press on EVERYTHING Georgia related. After a win, it’s all pointing fingers at whatever they can get their hands on to bring them down. Yes, Grantham lost his cool, but it was provoked and it’s over. He didn’t swing at anyone. Yet the AJC has something like 7 different articles about it, with only one actually talking about the SEC East race.
yadda, yadda, yadda.....
October 17th, 2011
2:07 pm
rally
October 17th, 2011
2:01 pm
A guy from Tennessee calling someone “a white trash, red neck loser”?
muuuuwwwwaaaaaAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
DawginLex
October 17th, 2011
2:07 pm
Grantham didn’t start it but he defended his player when Franklin called out shawn williams
Franklin says he did nothing that he regrets
Franklin started it and refuses to admit he did
Who has more class?
It’s Grantham by a long shot
rally
October 17th, 2011
2:07 pm
For you doggie fans, you can read our Nashville Sports Talk host, Clay Travis’ comments on the incident at: http://www.outkickthecoverage.com/james-franklin-and-todd-grantham-confrontation-at-the-end-of-georgia-vandy.php
yadda, yadda, yadda.....
October 17th, 2011
2:09 pm
rally
October 17th, 2011
2:07 pm
No need to. I’m pretty certain he felt Franklin had nothing to do with it……
rally
October 17th, 2011
2:11 pm
Travis says: He (Grantham) looks like a Maury Povich mom who just found out that the man she brought on set is not the father.
Swarles Barkley
October 17th, 2011
2:12 pm
rally:
I’m not going to read someone’s opinion who is from Knoxville. It will be biased. Please try to wrap your mind around that and stop pestering us Georgia fans.
straitroad
October 17th, 2011
2:13 pm
Jeff,
After reading your work for I while, my gut tells me that you have never played the game of football, or if you were part of an organized team, you didn’t see much playing time. James Franklin confronted a UGA player and Todd Grantham confronted Franklin. From that, you take Grantham to task. Get a life.
SouthGADawg
October 17th, 2011
2:13 pm
Funny how you say you weren’t going to write anymore about this… and yet you do. I predicted this whole outcome immediately after the game down to a Schultz column calling it an embarrassment to UGA and a Grantham apology. You have become so tired and predictable, Mr. Schultz. This is what is wrong with UGA today…no male fortitude to stand up to the Atlanta media. I long for the day when a UGA coach will pull a Spurrier and boycott any ajc reporter or pull a Meyer and call you a “bad guy”.. Oh and Mr. Schultz, if you wanted to be fresh and new with this subject, try writing that it was an embarrassment to Vanderbilt University that the HEAD football coach pointed and cursed at a college student on the opposing team. Who is the real embarrassment?
yadda, yadda, yadda.....
October 17th, 2011
2:14 pm
rally
October 17th, 2011
2:07 pm
On second thought, I did click the link you provided and read the article. Here’s what I found interesting:
“Watch his comments below, but, man, I love this guy.
No doubt at all, this is not the Vandy football program of old.”
A coach verbally tongue lashing an opposing player? Yes indeed, this is not the Vandy football program of old.
Thanks for the article.
straitroad
October 17th, 2011
2:15 pm
GTBob,
You still lost to Virginia. I bet you would have liked to haved squeaked by.
no discipline
October 17th, 2011
2:17 pm
It is funny that no one has mentioned the two Georgia players being pulled apart on the sidelines during the game. The one really showing himself was #36 who the Vandy coach was upset with.
Georgia coaches really punished him by almost starting a fight with his own team……….he went right back in the game.
oldfart
October 17th, 2011
2:18 pm
Abnerish
October 17th, 2011
1:41 pm
You can debate whether CTG went over the line or not, but to claim Geathers punched a Vandy player with no justification is just a bald-faced lie. Geathers was clipped from behind after the play was over and he retaliated. It’s hard to fault Geathers when the guy just tried to end his season. Even the television analysts failed to focus on why Geathers punched him. Seems that nobody wants to know the truth, they just want to further their pre-conceived notions.
I didn’t see anyone state that there wasn’t provocation on Geathers’ part. He was clipped during the play and that was flagged. The kidney punch in retaliation was stupid. It was 6 feet in front of the linesman’s nose and also in front of the primary cameras which risks his being sit out of the Florida game by the Conference. Additionally since it was after the play it gave Vandy a new set of downs. The clip would have set Vandy way back on their heels but the retaliation HELPED them immensely. Geathers simply exhibited the same lack of self control as his coordinator. I’m not saying that boys can’t be boys but they should be coached to take that anger, keep your head on straight and knock the crap out of them between the whistles.
Interesting also that some of the same people throwing stones for the Tech coach getting in one of his own player’s grill have been clamoring for that very type of action from Richt. I played high school ball in a long distant era where the head coach prayed to Jesus incessantly but any infraction of his orders received a tirade that would have made George Patton blush. That is acceptable action in football. Hell, Bear Bryant nearly killed some kids at Texas A&M and John Heisman wouldn’t let his players shower during the week so the stink would help stifle to opposition. Giving choke signs to the opposition’s player and giving the rest of the conference Youtube material is simply not acceptable.
Jeff Schultz's puckered anus
October 17th, 2011
2:19 pm
Another classic article. Seriously, who reads this shît?
DawginLex
October 17th, 2011
2:20 pm
Clay Travis is a jealous wannabee douchebag.
He is a nothing
Thinks he is big time because he covers freaking Vandy
Predicted Vandy would crush Kentucky last year in the SEC tournament in basketball and then make the Final Four
Lost in the SEC tournament as usual and made another 1st round exit from the NCAA’s.
Clay Travis needs to shutup
yadda, yadda, yadda.....
October 17th, 2011
2:20 pm
no discipline
October 17th, 2011
2:17 pm
Oh, so you “saw” that with your own eyes, huh? Wow, I’m impressed. Another thing, Sherlock, just how did arrive at the conclusion that #36 was the one who started this bench brawl you “saw”?
I’ve got my popcorn and coke, so this should be interesting.
WDE
October 17th, 2011
2:22 pm
typical, no class ThUGA. and you have the nerve to point fingers at our national championship. you’re pathetic!
yadda, yadda, yadda.....
October 17th, 2011
2:24 pm
oldfart
October 17th, 2011
2:18 pm
“…and giving the rest of the conference Youtube material is simply not acceptable.”
I agree, HEAD Coach Franklin should be ashamed.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
October 17th, 2011
2:29 pm
Gus Malzahn is adding a new picture card to his offensive play call system,..When you see the photos of Grantham + monkey + football, it means run to the endzone en masse and jump up and down like you never been there before.
Buckhead Bulldog
October 17th, 2011
2:30 pm
5 Time National Champs Nebraska
October 17th, 2011
1:00 pm
Because you all have no passion…very stoic and weird out there. Now go pull the cob out from last night, dink!
Russ, the Temporary Mascot
October 17th, 2011
2:31 pm
Don’t tell anybody but Dr. Adams is going to sucker punch the Uninversity of Florida president. I think McGarity can get close to them because he used to work there. He’s going to stink bomb the UF athletic director’s box. Grantham is going for the head coach. If he can take him out before the game that should give us an edge, or maybe not. Maybe he should take Richt out instead. The State Patrol should protect Grantham again and keep him out of jail. I remember when it was the players who had trouble every week.
Obama Logic
October 17th, 2011
2:31 pm
Can anybody take this writer (schultz), and I use the term loosely, seriously? He takes cheap shots all the time at players and caoches in his articles and then cries about someone being a role model.
Big Albany Dawg
October 17th, 2011
2:32 pm
I understand most people don’t understand this. But real warriors do. It’s in our blood. sorry.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
October 17th, 2011
2:32 pm
“Nick fairley hits too hard..”
“Other teams block us..”
“The SEC refs hate us that’s why they don’t call it..”
Ever thought of trying to just be a physical and punishing team instead of whining?
GaTechSuxMyLeft1
October 17th, 2011
2:33 pm
Mark Richt is a poon. Todd Grantham is a badass… personally, I really like the guy and I wish Mark Richt would stop trying to interfere with his game
harold
October 17th, 2011
2:34 pm
CLASSLESS. IT IS ASHAMED THAT UGA COACHES ARE NOT TEACING THE PLAYERS HOW TO PROPERLY HANDLE PROBLEMS. SLIVE & McGARITY WILL BE ANGRY!
Ted M
October 17th, 2011
2:35 pm
The link on AJC’s home page says “Grantham explains confrontation” but no where on it does he explain the confrontation.
yadda, yadda, yadda.....
October 17th, 2011
2:35 pm
TrishaDishaWarEagle
October 17th, 2011
2:32 pm
It must be tough living under Alabama’s umbrella. Sad for you……
McDawg
October 17th, 2011
2:35 pm
TGTGTGTGTGTGTGTGTGTGTGTGTGTG…………………………………..
yadda, yadda, yadda.....
October 17th, 2011
2:36 pm
Ted M
October 17th, 2011
2:35 pm
I wonder if Franklin has explained his confrontation?
McDawg
October 17th, 2011
2:36 pm
Muschamp was a gator wannabe his whole life
Marty
October 17th, 2011
2:36 pm
Meanwhile, a Clemson player beat a female track member (until she was gashed and bloody) and was arrested for it…but later released. (The police said it was handled internally)
Last year, Clemson’s safety punched his pregnant girlfriend and threw her down a flight of stairs.
They went 6-7, lost to South Florida, then proceeded to land four 5-star players from Florida.
Hmmmm…we might worry about this more than Grantham.
Ted M
October 17th, 2011
2:38 pm
Jeff – You shot JFK from the grassy knoll…didn’t you. Its time to come clean.
bucket
October 17th, 2011
2:38 pm
I have tried to give you the benefit of the doubt Jeff and have been trying to read your columns and critiques objectively and not just as a UGA fan. But the last couple of articles from you clearly show your bias against anything UGA and your desire to see the current coaching staff fail. You and the national media are trying to paint a picture of the incident as if Grantham ran out on the field totally unprovoked and starting yelling at Head Coach Franklin and the Vandy players. You know that is not accurate and yet you just keep on writing. You wonder why we are so aggressively defending Grantham? That’s the reason. I can agree that in a perfect world Grantham would have called Franklin a sore loser and ran off the field. What would you have done if that had been one of your kids that Franklin was bashing and pointing his finger at? What if a parent at one of your kids game comes up to you screaming at you about what a menace one of your kids is? You just gonna walk away or are you gonna defend your kid? Also, you wrote, “Some Dogs defensive players reportedly were upset about Vandy’s cut-blocking tactics.” You are a reporter and it’s been 2 days. Have you not had time to watch the game film and/or interview some players and coaches and find out if that indeed happened. It wouldn’t be real hard to go back and watch the fact that Geathers was indeed clipped on the play that he punched the guy on. This is not a rumor, the Vandy player was flagged for clipping!!! Geathers has to check his reaction to what the Vandy player did, however, in one second a guy who has no chance at playing in the NFL could have ended the career of a guy who will play in the NFL (barring stupid injuries). I know you are paid to give your opinion, but it would be nice for you to balance your pre-conceived opinion with some fact-finding. You could have written this same article without having done any investigating, which is apparently what you did.
GADawgs
October 17th, 2011
2:38 pm
If you take the time to watch the clip, it is clear that Franklin is screaming and pointing at Williams. So much so, that Grantham has to turn around and see who Franklin is screaming at.And, UGA’s players are doing the same. Then Franklin decide’s to get in Grantham’s face. Grantham just took carry of business. I have no problem with this. It is about time that UGA showed some emotion. Glad Grantham had William’s back! Vandy’s pregame video they played on the large screen, Franklin talks about swagger. You tube has it “What We Do” video minute 1:58 Franklin talks about being the first to thrown the first punch and the last punch. This tells a lot about what happened Saturday. Vandy is now trying to be a big boy. This is football not dodge ball.
Casey
October 17th, 2011
2:40 pm
Jeff, you are flat out wrong on this….to a degree. Watch the beginning of the tape and you can clearly see Franklin yelling and pointing at #36. Grantham is going over to shake his hand, and looks very calm, when he turns around to see who Franklin is yelling at. After the camera comes back from cutting away to Rambo whatever Franklin has said has obviously set Grantham off.
Unfortunately, since the camera was only pointed at Grantham we’ll never know. But it was obvious he was yelling at one of the opposing teams players and according to your laws of justice taunting a college kid on the opposing team is a crime worthy of the shackles. So explain to us how you let Franklin have a pass on this and throw the hammer down at Grantham for reacting to this type of nonsense??
rally
October 17th, 2011
2:40 pm
Coach Franklin on Nashville radio right now: http://www.1045thezone.com/default.asp
JB
October 17th, 2011
2:40 pm
All I can remember is Auburn Coach (sic) Trooper Taylor waving that towel over his head after Fairly hit Murray in the knees with his helmet and chest bumping him when he came off the field. No class is everywhere.