Richt: King’s 2-game suspension reflects tougher penalties for arrests
(Updated 4 p.m.)
ATHENS — Caleb King, Georgia’s starting tailback in both of its victories this season, won’t play in the next two games because of his arrest for failure to appear in court to address a speeding ticket.
Coach Mark Richt on Tuesday suspended King for the two games, saying he hopes the punishment teaches a lesson to the tailback and other players.
In years past, a case such as King’s might have drawn a shorter suspension, if any at all. But with King the 11th UGA football player arrested this year, Richt acknowledged the two-game ban reflects a tougher approach to punishing players for off-field incidents.
“Oh yeah, no doubt about it,” Richt said. “But they knew that.”
King won’t play in Saturday’s home game against Vanderbilt or the Oct. 23 game at Kentucky. He’ll return for the Oct. 30 game against Florida in Jacksonville.
The 11 Georgia players arrested this year, on charges ranging from battery to public intoxication, have drawn varying penalties from Richt. Four of the players were dismissed from the team. Another decided to transfer after being suspended for six games. Three others got one-game suspensions.
The latest suspension came one day after King was arrested by Athens-Clarke County Police on a bench warrant issued by a judge in nearby Walton County. The warrant was for failing to appear at an August court date regarding a June speeding ticket, which cited King for traveling 76 miles per hour in a 55-mph zone on Highway 78.
“I expect all our players to take care of their responsibilities on and off the field,” Richt said. “When players don’t do that, it damages the reputation of the player, our team and our university. My goal is for Caleb to learn a lesson and for other players to learn from his experience.”
King’s penalty was double that drawn by fellow tailback Washaun Ealey, who was suspended for one game –- the season-opening victory over Louisiana-Lafayette –- after his late-August arrest for hit-and-run of a parked vehicle and driving with a suspended license. At the time of Ealey’s arrest, there also was a bench warrant against him for failure to appear in court on speeding and vehicle registration charges.
Asked if King’s stiffer penalty reflects a tougher standard, Richt said: “Yes sir.” Asked if it reflects a need to send a message, Richt said: “Obviously.”
Although Richt emphasized that each player “has a responsibility to do the right thing,” the coach said he and athletic director Greg McGarity are having “an ongoing conversation” about ways to reduce the off-field problems. “I really have a lot of confidence that [McGarity] has some good ideas in that regard,” Richt said.
Already, Richt said, his staff is periodically checking to make sure players’ driver’s licenses are in good standing. “We’ve been doing that monthly,” he said, “but now we are going to do it weekly.”
Richt said, however, that it would be almost impossible for the staff to know when a bench warrant is issued for a player’s failure to handle a traffic ticket, as in the King case. “You basically would have to get in contact with every single county in the state of Georgia on a daily basis to find out if something like that popped up,” Richt said.
Several players said the team is well aware that off-field problems will have serious consequences.
“Enough has happened that I think the team is tired of it, the coaching staff is tired of it and the athletic director and everyone associated with the University of Georgia is [too],” quarterback Aaron Murray said. “We definitely have seen a little too much of everything that is going on. We’ve just got to be smart as a team … on and off the field.”
Said wide receiver Tavarres King: “Everybody knows at this point in time, if you get in trouble, you’re going to get a pretty good lashing.”
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842 comments Add your comment
I is back
October 12th, 2010
1:35 pm
At least he was suspended!
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gator_clause/2010/08/gators-freshmen-matt-elam-and-solomon-patton-arrested-for-possession-of-alcohol.html
uga1987
October 12th, 2010
1:35 pm
I hate to say it but on top of all bad characters we recruit, the other teams that do the same things at least win their conferences and are in the NC hunt every year. We are the biggest under achievers in college football over the last 30 years. No one does less with this kind of talent. If we can’t be good than I wish we would recruit better guys. Just me 2 cents.
Really ...
October 12th, 2010
1:35 pm
Name me one other program that has suspended a player two games for missing a court date on a speeding ticket?
Coach Meyer
October 12th, 2010
1:36 pm
I would have made him run 50 yards twice and than make him team captain. That would show him!
Coach Meyer
October 12th, 2010
1:37 pm
Really … Corch Meyer do it
crossdawg
October 12th, 2010
1:37 pm
Another thug! Maybe CMR should have the tutors read the citations to the players since they apparently can’t read for themselves that they are supposed to go to court (or just pay the fine).
BMDPD
October 12th, 2010
1:38 pm
You people are stupid. He didn’t rape and kill anyone. He rode a scooter on a suspended license. Then, he didn’t pay a ticket and missed a court date. Yes, that is stupid, but in the grand scheme of things, would it cost him a job in the civilian world. Come on, don’t be stupid.
KimZ'sPackage
October 12th, 2010
1:38 pm
How many years has King Played? He played in 08, 09, and 10 3 years and 2 arrests. Dude ain’t that smart he is majoring in HOUSING. He will be just anothe Government employee trying to help Other Brothers get Section 8 housing.
Dawg Realist
October 12th, 2010
1:38 pm
I’m pulling my donations
Bishop Eddie
October 12th, 2010
1:39 pm
Call me son, I’m here for you.
Aaron11
October 12th, 2010
1:40 pm
Ken Malcome may have to take off the redshirt and play
patrick
October 12th, 2010
1:41 pm
Down with Saban!
October 12th, 2010
1:30 pm
I think a few Dawg fans are talking about whipping UF a little too much. Less you forget UF has lost to 2 ranked opponents, UGA has only beaten 2 unranked opponents. Calm down a bit before you kicked in the teeth by another “soft” opponent.
———————————————————————
I guess you missed 2 important facts….Tenn/Fla score was 27 to 17….Tenn/UGA score was 35 to 14 and was not tht close…..and Fla had 26 total yards of offense on freakin Miami of Ohio…..PUHLEEESE
Coach Meyer
October 12th, 2010
1:42 pm
Aaron11 – Thanks Captain Ovious!
Coach Meyer
October 12th, 2010
1:42 pm
Aaron11 – Thanks Captain Obvious
UGAX
October 12th, 2010
1:43 pm
I’m the biggest UGA fan in the world but KING must go. He’s been trouble from day 1 at UGA not to mention what he did in high school by switching schools at the last minute. He’s lucky to get just two games. He should have been dismissed from the team back in April for threatening the girl who loaned him money. And for those who say it was ‘just a speeding ticket’, give me a break. He knew what he was doing and tried to beat the system. He got caught. End of story. Get rid of King before he does somethig else stupid!!
gator nation
October 12th, 2010
1:43 pm
I can’t remember. What is UF’s record against uga over the last 20 years? Someone please post so everyone can see what you should be doing if you get these guys.
just askin?
October 12th, 2010
1:44 pm
Hold on all you guys who think two games was not enough. We may not know the whole story. Perhaps he’s not allowed to go on the swim dates for this two week period. Not being able to see his joke of a head coach jump in the water fully clothed, still think Richt’s a softy? And remember, the swim includes ice cream after wards. Will he have to miss the unveiling of ugaviii? My god, Richt is a monster!!!!!!
Honky Talkin'
October 12th, 2010
1:44 pm
It’s amazing how his actions have been trivialized. “Oh it’s just an unpaid parking ticket”. An arrest is an arrest. Either you discipline the team or you don’t. CMR has no control of the team, and has no respect from the team.
Pathetic
Come on man
October 12th, 2010
1:44 pm
patrick – you missed one important fact. The Tenn/UGA Score was 41-14
Bama Bill
October 12th, 2010
1:44 pm
Coach Richt just does not “get it” ! When will the 12 th arrrest and slap on the hand punishment be handed down by Richt ? Send them home and maybe let them earn their way back next season.
shane
October 12th, 2010
1:44 pm
I’m no fan of the dawgs, but you have to levels of severity where the punishment fits the crime. You can’t kick a young man of the team for something this small. Was he dumb for not paying his ticket? Yes, but come on people. Do you have any idea how many students at UGA have probably been arrested on a similar offense this year? I guessing there’s a few. Sitting in jail for a while and missing a couple of games is a fair punishment. RTR
gator nation
October 12th, 2010
1:46 pm
Rainey is back! Time to Die Dawgs!
KimZ'sPackage
October 12th, 2010
1:46 pm
BMDPD it might not cost him a job in the REAL WORLD? I think Tiger didn’t brake a single Law in Knocking boots while married, but IT did COST him HUGE amounts of money. He now has to start over building some of those relationships. KING should be out at UGA. Let him be some other schools problem. What? Is UGA scared they can’t win without him? UGA can’t recruit a better player? I thought UGA was GOD in this state and every player wants to be a DAWG.
TXDawg (The Real TXDawg)
October 12th, 2010
1:47 pm
I suspect that Ken Malcome will make everyone forget about Caleb King (and Washaun Ealy for that matter). Remember how Knowshon Moreno came out of nowhere??!!
San Francisco Dawg
October 12th, 2010
1:48 pm
I think the penalty was harsh for the crime committed…not being able to drive is enough of a penalty. I think Coach Richt is saving his arse and trying to make a statement here to let the alumni know that he is still in charge. But for a speeding ticket? Make him run extra laps or do toilet duty, but a two game suspension? I wonder how many of us did something like this and got a two week suspension from our jobs? Zero
Party school
October 12th, 2010
1:49 pm
Totally predictable. He’s suspended for 2 games that the dogs should win anyway but back in time for UF. Shows where the priorities STILL are.
Vince Dooley
October 12th, 2010
1:49 pm
To: bulldogmaniac
October 12th, 2010
1:32 pm
You’re an idiot. He wasn’t suspended for getting a ticket. He was suspended for missing a court date and getting arrested. You’re a moron in denial.
shane
October 12th, 2010
1:49 pm
Rainey is horrible. He can’t run between the tackles so I don’t see it helping you Gators much. Maybe he can catch a couple of those 5 yard curls Urban loves so much. Or even better have him spy on the kicker to prevent the 53 yard fake kick.
UGADawg83
October 12th, 2010
1:50 pm
It NEVER should have come to the this.
KimZ'sPackage
October 12th, 2010
1:51 pm
What size panties does Richt wear? I need to send him some. He can’t fit in mine because I have a Big Package, but Richt not so much.
savannahdawg
October 12th, 2010
1:51 pm
Look Coach……………if they are not going to listen after all that has already happened, if they are not going to come forward and get issues taken care, if they are going to keep screwing up one after the other…………..kick em off the damn team! Last time I checked, none of these guys are lighting it up. Enough of this stupid crap. Either listen the first time and take RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOURSELF or go play somewhere else!!!!!!!
Snake Doc
October 12th, 2010
1:52 pm
What a joke!!!! laughingstock of the nation! Zero tolerance for whom?
11 Arrests 2 Wins
October 12th, 2010
1:52 pm
What a joke.
bama tide
October 12th, 2010
1:52 pm
At first I thought this was a little harsh, but it seems as if this is not his first offense. It’s easy for young people to ignore tickets, but these players need to realize the position they are in and develop some responsibility. I also am not going to act like UGA players are exceptionally bad, because I even see some players here in Tuscaloosa, and other schools do some irresponsible things. UGA just has the trend of getting caught.
5150 P.O.A.D
October 12th, 2010
1:53 pm
Will they pee test Caleb King after his 2 weeks off? I hope it means that he can’t practice too, but we know better than that don’t we?
DawgNation
October 12th, 2010
1:53 pm
Please Tim close this blog out to anymore comments. It is the same old BS from the same old DA’s. Two games against two SEC opponents is more than just for this infraction. Sorry if FL fans feel they are being picked on since he will be eligible for the GA-FL game but at least he is doing more that just a half against Vandy.
TXDawg (The Real TXDawg)
October 12th, 2010
1:53 pm
Some of you DAWG fans are plain and simple IDIOTS!
Honky Talkin'
October 12th, 2010
1:54 pm
UGA is an embarrasment to the state of Georgia. Why can’t CMR discipline his players?
ManiacalDawgHoyden
October 12th, 2010
1:55 pm
Zero tolerence has many degrees of tolerance. Take the State of Georgia’s Zero Tolerence drug use enforcement for Georgia employers and employees. If a person smokes pot on his own time, gets hurt on the job and goes to the emergency aid facility of the employer, he or she will be drug tested and fired from his or her job when the pot (that remains in your system up to 30 days)shows up even though it was smoked on the weekend before the accident. BUT if you’re a Atlanta Falcon player, for instance, get busted for driving offenses, DUI, pot procession, etc., the State of GA does not insist that the Falcon player be fired from the team for good, in the same manner as lowly office worker.
Steve
October 12th, 2010
1:55 pm
Just curious — if FLA was next week, would Caleb be suspended? Seems very convenient that the two games he will miss are Vandy and Kentucky.
Sorry
October 12th, 2010
1:55 pm
Snake Doc – where is the article that says there is a zero tolerance policy in place? Please post the link. Thanks
TrishaDishaWarEagle
October 12th, 2010
1:55 pm
My prediction…UGA 6 vandy 14
It will be an entertaining 6, as Vandy falls on three high snaps in their own endzone for three safeties, putting the UGA defense into the record books
WAREAGLE
Chuck Riesser
October 12th, 2010
1:57 pm
Now they are going to check everyones Drivers License once a week, gosh, what a waste of time, these “KIDS” are supposed to be adaults now, give me a break here people…
James
October 12th, 2010
1:57 pm
Do NCAA football players get drug tested?
I mean, for pot, mostly. First you see AJ selling a jersey to an ‘agent’ (BS, I agree) who now appears to be a drug dealer or serious middleman. Then you have King’s brother borrowing somebody else’s car and driving around at 4 AM. Usually if I am out at 4 AM (not often), I am either drunk, or drunk and stoned. I imagine it’s not much different for these kids.
The difference for me is I pay to go to school. These guys have their education paid for.
TXDawg (The Real TXDawg)
October 12th, 2010
1:57 pm
Some of you anti-DAWG fans are IDIOTS, too!
PINKLON THOMAS
October 12th, 2010
1:58 pm
CMR should forget about the OC and DC jobs.
We need a good WARDEN for our 4-5 star recruits.
I bought in to the hype this year and feel even more stupid than
the average “DAWG”.
Judge Dawg
October 12th, 2010
2:00 pm
Note that King showed up and the police checked his driver’s license and then ran it through a computer to see if there were charges against him. Do you think they were ignorant of the fact that they were checking for grounds to arrest the starting tailback? This does not make an excuse but the pattern is not good for UGA or recruiting.
just askin?
October 12th, 2010
2:01 pm
trisha,
Do you really think the uga defense can hold Vandy to 14?
TrishaDishaWarEagle
October 12th, 2010
2:02 pm
Can’t wait to lose to UGA again. This series is starting to get as lopsided as the Tech/UGA series.
Keyser Soze(authentic)
October 12th, 2010
2:02 pm
Instead of hiring a defensive coordinator, Richt should have hired a defense attorney. Much better use of that money. ROTFLMFAO!!!!!!