Worry over UGA’s Murray ends in relief: It’s just a sprain
"Hey, ref! That should be a penalty kick!" (AP photo)
For 3 1/2 hours Monday, we all played the prognosis game: “If you break your ankle on Feb. 19, can you play college football in the Georgia Dome against Boise State on the night of Sept. 3?”
Moot point now. Aaron Murray’s ankle is sprained, not broken. Bulldog Nation can rest, if not easy, then certainly easier.
And we saw, not for the first time and I’m guessing not for the last, the viral power of the Internet and social media. You’ll recall the feeding frenzy over Tweeted news that Joe Cox would miss the South Carolina game in 2009. (He didn’t.) We’ll never forget the thrill-ride that was Georgia’s search for a defensive coordinator. (For late tuners-in, the Bulldogs hired Todd Grantham.) Now this.
Monday’s original report, offered by the UGA student newspaper The Red and Black, was that “team sources” were saying Murray had broken his ankle in two places. Turns out it wasn’t broken in even one place. (Rule of thumb: Not being broken is better than being broken, especially if you’re the starting quarterback of a team that just went 6-7 and has to face Boise State and South Carolina in September.)
Turns out those 3 1/2 hours of teeth-gnashing were for naught. And apparently it turns out that European brand of football — we call it “soccer” — might be tougher than some red-blooded Americans care to admit.
On Nov. 13 Aaron Murray stood up to the pummeling, some of it within the rules, administered by Auburn’s massive meanie Nick Fairley and kept coming back. On Feb. 19 a pickup soccer game on campus left him on crutches. Just sayin’.
By Mark Bradley
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183 comments Add your comment
kral
February 21st, 2011
9:19 pm
hello
kral
February 21st, 2011
9:38 pm
knock knock…it’s Dave…Dave not here man…know I’m Dave…a little Cheech and Chong…because I get blocked often and shultzie has banned me …you know …call someone out …but be sure not to pizzz them off…do not hurt their feelings or ego…they can not take it
Duluth Dawg
February 21st, 2011
10:01 pm
Bradley,
Where have you been? Basketball Dawgs win a big game in Knoxville and no article or comment. Had we lost, I am confident you would have written a nasty little articel to get the blog hits. What’s with you?? You only want to report the bad news to get our fanbase stirred up. Just shows what a fish wrapper the AJC really is. You sir are a hack.
Mark Bradley
February 21st, 2011
10:04 pm
Try to keep up, Duluth Dawg, before calling me names. Click here.
kral
February 21st, 2011
10:22 pm
let see you wrote a paragraph…what …yesssir that big win got a lotta pub
tide roll
February 21st, 2011
10:23 pm
Soccer huh. Tell me, was Richt in goal?
tide roll
February 21st, 2011
10:23 pm
Yes ? Suspicions confirmed.
tide roll
February 21st, 2011
10:24 pm
He was ? That’s interesting.
kral
February 21st, 2011
10:27 pm
let see please refer me to the fuulll page article..for my enjoyment….tide roollll..have you sent you name into the save a tree foundation….ooh I hope so
chem
February 21st, 2011
10:30 pm
The Red and Black should fire that idiot Zach Dillard. This is embarrassing for them.
kral
February 21st, 2011
10:31 pm
dude I would take a 1 month sabbtical from being a smart-A on a blog,,,you could catch alot of scorn on a blog…tidee rolllee
kral
February 21st, 2011
10:34 pm
an 1 blogger and out is the same as a 3 and outer ooohhh tidee roller
GTBob
February 21st, 2011
10:46 pm
I thought the obsession with recruiting was creepy. Now I am seeing grown men who are worried about a young college kid hurting his foot 6 months before the season starts. Would you guys really be in that much trouble if Lemay had to start? He might do better. Have faith in your backups.
kral
February 21st, 2011
10:49 pm
I apologize markie it was a big sports weekend in the state…yeah a 20 yr. old from GA won the 500…you were watching bierber win the most valuable player award…slam dunk contest…NBA allstar game…chipper taking batting practice… uggla taking groundballs at 2nd…I tollally understannd..I am sorry he is not from GA
kral
February 21st, 2011
10:51 pm
just like the support your back-up got in the UGA game gt bob…give me break before you determine our back up qb
Jordan
February 21st, 2011
10:56 pm
Is this a joke? Everyone is over here criticizing him, he was playing soccer and being active for gosh sakes. He had the best season statistically for a freshman quarterback in UGA history, and people are calling for a new quarterback? That is utterly ridiculous, because he is an absolute stud quarterback and a great leader with a solid attitude whos going to take us far next year.
Go Dawgs
kral
February 21st, 2011
10:59 pm
plus your back-up played a heck of a game gt-bobbie
kral
February 21st, 2011
11:03 pm
i just love it when a person steps in and makes one blog and runs…you know …stand by what you have said…bring a snappy comeback…or stick behind a blog…
kral
February 21st, 2011
11:14 pm
I think everyone moved to the link I am banned from such a shame…shulziiieee doesn’t like me anymore
It's so Sad
February 21st, 2011
11:29 pm
kral
If you have not checked it out already, go to the yahoo college football msg board. There are a ton of SEC and UGA fans who post there. it’s a decent msg board.
Denver Dog
February 21st, 2011
11:51 pm
So, after 38 years, the Red and Black is now reporting stupid stuff. Oh wait, that was the MO back then. Maybe they need another good dose of Lewis Grizzard influence, and less of Barnhart.
Swoopin' It
February 21st, 2011
11:53 pm
You’d think with all those Grass Turf Management majors at UGA, this tragedy could have been avoided.
UGA just released the injury report:
Aaron Murray. Out indefinitely due to unspecified injury. Our sources, however, have narrowed it down to split ends, dry scalp, or if doctors’ worst fears are realized, both.
Bernie
February 21st, 2011
11:56 pm
For the love of Georgia football, can somebody PULEEZE convince Mark “I keep losing more games than the year before and I can’t figure out why” Richt to PULEEZE start another QB besides Aaron Murray, like Bradley says, 6 wins to his name, geez. Who did Murray beat anyhow? La Laf, Idaho State, Vanderbilt, Kent, Tenn, Ga Tech? All teams with losign records. How did #11 do against the big boy teams with winning records:
Auburn-LOSS-FORGOT TO SHOW UP IN THE 4TH QUARTER
South Carolina-LOSS–couldn’t score a TD
Florida-LOSS + 4 to’S
Miss St.-LOSS-scored 1 TD
Arkansas-LOSS–sacked ot end the game
UCF- LOSS + 2 to’S and a fumble
bONUS gAME:
Colorado (RU Kidding me?) LOSS
Bernie
February 21st, 2011
11:59 pm
17 OF mURRAY’S td’S AGAINST losing TEAMS, 7 AGAINST THE BIG BOYS.
Ted Striker
February 22nd, 2011
12:18 am
I’ve had a broken ankle (car accident) and a sprained ankle (undercut playing hoops.)
The sprain for me, was much worse. Break took 5-6 weeks to come back from, the sprain took 6 months. Couldn’t cut or pivot with full confidence for probably a year.
I never downplay sprains.
how to play soccer
February 22nd, 2011
12:20 am
I like footballl Play free soccer drill and Feeling how to play soccer comfortable on the ball At this stage you should understand how to apply the soccer.
how to play soccer
February 22nd, 2011
12:23 am
I like footballl Play free soccer drill and Feeling comfortable on the ball At this stage you should understand how to apply the soccer.
Harry from da Burn
February 22nd, 2011
4:40 am
Please stop with your ‘jokes” Mark. Almost completely ruins you’re journalism skills.
tony
February 22nd, 2011
5:37 am
5150 UOAD, tell us………why did the dawgs go 6-7 young man?
tony
February 22nd, 2011
5:55 am
@Greg
Stafford had AJ Green and Moreno……..where is our national championship?
@kral
I am not a Spurrier supporter sir……..he won a nc @ Fl and he’s a better coach than Mr Richt.
If Mr Richt doesn’t win a nc this season, he need to start packing his bags.
chazzo
February 22nd, 2011
6:24 am
This is not news. He tweeked his ankle. Anyone who says Murry is injury prone is just ridiculous. I watched him get up and throw TDs after Fairley busted him up and spiked him to ground. It is also incredibly unfair to pin losses on him (i.e. he didn’t beat a ranked team or he went 6-7). He is not a pitcher, folks. He was a freshman QB on a lack luster team. Yet, look at his ratings. He was one of the best QBs in the nation. And, don’t give me that “padded his stats” crap. He did well in big games, against big teams (like the #1 team in the nation for instance). Heck, there were times when I thought he was the only guy on the field that wanted to win.
tony
February 22nd, 2011
6:48 am
@Bernie
Sir, you have really lost your mind! As I recall, Mr Richt handcuff Murray against SC and Arkansas. 66% CMP against SC is pretty dawn good. They lost that game because our defense couldn’t contain Lattimore.
Aaron Murray scored 2 TD against Arkansas but we lost 31-24. WHY? It sure wasn’t because of A.Murray. Who gave Arkansas 31 points?
Against Miss St the play calling was atrocious as always.Murray threw for 274 YDS 58% CMP-1TD against a pretty dawn GOOD defense. The game was closer than what the score indicates because we had to try and get the 1st down on 4th and long in our territory with a few minutes left in the game. Our defense didn’t hold them……they gets an easy score,
31 points against Fl and 31 points against AU are enough points to win championships! Either you are a Fl fan and is mad with Murray for leaving the state of Fl or you are just plain delusional.
» SEC: Vandy-Tennessee tonight shapes up as huge John Clay’s Sidelines
February 22nd, 2011
7:01 am
[...] It’s a little sprain, reports the AJC. And the worry ends in relief, writes the AJC’s Mark Bradley. [...]
FanSince59
February 22nd, 2011
7:06 am
I bet for 3 1/2 hours Richt’s a$$ was eating up the seat of his britches. On the other hand, if Murray were to be injured during the upcomming season and his level of play affected, this would give Richt a built in excuse to beg for another year if UGA lost 4 or 5 games.
Buckeye
February 22nd, 2011
7:28 am
I thought you were “dawgs”, not Chicken Littles!
Mark..
February 22nd, 2011
7:37 am
Stop revising history “some of it within the rules” .. give me a break.. give Fairley a break.. watch the game again, take some notes and I think you will find your statement is grossly inaccurate. Auburn whipped Georgia.. period.. stop the pandering.
SEC: Vandy-Tennessee tonight shapes up as huge « South Capitol Street
February 22nd, 2011
7:54 am
[...] It’s a little sprain, reports the AJC. And the worry ends in relief, writes the AJC’s Mark Bradley. [...]
Chris
February 22nd, 2011
8:07 am
People here are hilarious…sitting on the edge of their collective seat anticipating the results of a 19 year old’s x-ray??? Seriously, think about that for a minute…keep thinking…little longer…agree? He is 19, he is a KID and he is going to do other things (athletically) than just quarterback our Dawgs, period! I can’t believe some of the comments on here: “selfish, stuipid, immature, learned his lesson, etc.” Those words should be turned around and used on the ones here that are saying such outlandish garbage. In the end, football is just a game folks, he is a kid and many of you need to get a clue/life!!!
Go Dawgs!
Bucket
February 22nd, 2011
8:09 am
Where did all the adults go? Some of you guys need to get a life if this is your real take on Murray.
Bucket
February 22nd, 2011
8:11 am
@ Chris. Should have read your post @ 8:07am and then I could have sat this one out!
Bigboy
February 22nd, 2011
8:17 am
Murray is good but he has to work on his reads and make some better decisions with ball this season.If Lemay can ball he’ll probably get some snaps this year..ala Greene/Shockley
Jalex49
February 22nd, 2011
8:19 am
It amazes me how something can get taken so out of context. The kid play a game of soccer, and to connect that to him being the reason we went 6 and 7 is unbelieveable!
This kid is a winner, good for Georgia, his teammates, and the die-hard fans, and we should just leave him alone. I for one, must admit that after seeing how much involved he was with the team on the field and his unwillingness to give up- especially during the Florida and Auburn games where he was constantly getting hit, has made me believe he is the right quaterback for the right time for Georgia.
If the coaches will open up the offense and defense comes on strong and deliver, then with the weapons he will have at his disposable will only make him and the team better. I say, Aaaron do what you do best on the field of play-compete- and leave all the nay-sayers and people looking for anything to bring on negativity- at a distance… We are proud you are at Georgia and we thank you for being a leader.
Also, Washaum Ealey- you are disappointing your family, The Georgia football program and the fan base.
You have unlimited abililty and potential and you could be a “star” if you would get your actions, mind and abilities all going in a positive direction. Georgia needs you and your teammates need you.
Go Dawgs!! Bring back the ” JUNKYARD DAWGS DEFENSE” and OPEN THE OFFENSE UP!! USE THE TALENTED PLAYERS IN CREATIVITY WAYS FOR 2011 AND BEYOND……
Winston Wolfe
February 22nd, 2011
8:44 am
I love the dawgs……..but the US is about 500 gajillion dollars in the hole and we’re talkin about a sprained ankle? Seriously? It’s gonna be a loooong offseason.
Buzz 2010
February 22nd, 2011
8:46 am
It really doesn’t matter about Murray, he will never be another Joe Cox.
Bring back Cox now!!!
You're killin' me....
February 22nd, 2011
8:55 am
Just a freak accident…Hell, I remember when Terry Harper for the Braves sprained his thumb putting on his socks
Dumbo
February 22nd, 2011
8:59 am
Somebody slap Richt…ever since he signed his “Dream Team” class of recruits, he evidently has gone on vacation….Alabama & Florida have both hit town and have commitments from the top RB’s in GA…and UGA is sitting around with a thumb up the bum, again. Please explain to Richt & staff that recruiting is year round event and yes Richt, Georgia does have a few possible recruits, you don’t have to recruit Florida & North Carolina all the time. Maybe Richt oughta talk to his QB about team responsiblities and limit his extra sporting activities.
Pago Pago Dawg
February 22nd, 2011
9:05 am
So now it appears that we need a coaching change for the women’s roundball and Diamond Dawgs…
terpdawg
February 22nd, 2011
9:06 am
remember robert edwards at the superstars competition,
Brit Massey
February 22nd, 2011
9:10 am
At least he didn’t get hurt at a Tickle Pile!!!
Lowcountry Bulldawg
February 22nd, 2011
9:14 am
Murray sprains his ankle and somehow it is Lemays time to shine,lol! As always the most popular player on the team is the backup QB.