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
Zen Master
October 12th, 2010
2:03 pm
Sounds like a lot of you are unhappy with the decisions you’ve made in your own life which has landed you where you are. Kicking King off the team is not going to help or hurt you. It’s not going to magically erase the stupid things you did. Leave the man alone……your own house could use a bit of cleaning.
James' Bong
October 12th, 2010
2:03 pm
James – Just because you are a drunk/pot head idiot doesn’t mean the rest of the world is.
ThugDawgs Rule
October 12th, 2010
2:04 pm
Patrick – you missed a couple of important facts: This was the same UT team that got stomped by Oregon (a team that UGA doesn’t want to play) 48-13 – and UNLIKE Georgia – Oregon had pulled most of their starters at the end of the 3rd quarter, This was the SAME UT team that should have gotten beat by UAB, but won 32-29 in double OT. UBA dominated the game in every phase – racking-up 544 yards offense (UGA didn’t EVEN come close to doing this – and this was against UAB) to UT’s 287 yards.
And some of you may point at the LSU game – well UT only had 215 yards of offense in that game – whereas LSU had 434 (more than double) and UT’s QB was only 12-23 for 121 yards. Where as in the UGA game, the two QBs totaled 17-25 for 260 yards (which were basically the same stats as Murray).
Al
October 12th, 2010
2:04 pm
This is just stupid!!!!!!!!!! A speeding ticket?!?! He should not have been suspended. This is just stupid. High profile college sports has lost reality. In no other business or organization would anyone face any consequences for such action. Absurd!
go dawgs
October 12th, 2010
2:04 pm
god bless mark richt
Bishop Eddie
October 12th, 2010
2:04 pm
“James – Just because you are a drunk/pot head idiot doesn’t mean the rest of the world is.”
Have you ever been to Athens on gameday?
just askin?
October 12th, 2010
2:04 pm
I mean I know UGA’s D held SC to less than 20. Bama’s D couldn’t come close to that.
ackbar
October 12th, 2010
2:06 pm
F this fing bull. eat our $#!+ and suck our d!cks. we’re taking over this mother.
James' Bong
October 12th, 2010
2:06 pm
Bishop Eddie – I said the rest of the WORLD not ATHENS!
TrishaDishaWarEagle
October 12th, 2010
2:06 pm
Just askin, no I don’t think the UGA defense could stop anyone, after that colorado game, but I am counting on Vandy Ineptitude in my prediction to keep the game close..
Gordon
October 12th, 2010
2:06 pm
Won’t hurt you against Vandy, might make the difference with Kentucky.
War Tiger
October 12th, 2010
2:07 pm
TrishaDishaWarEagle – Get back in the kitchen and make me some lunch!
MURPHY
October 12th, 2010
2:08 pm
Whats the over/under on how many times Washaun fumbles in the Vandy game?
TrishaDishaWarEagle
October 12th, 2010
2:08 pm
SC was building up to a peak when they played UGA..probably when they played AU too..Then they crashed on the sunburnT pachyderms.
That said, I’LL TAKE IT…I love to see Bama lose:) Anything..Anytime..Anywhere..
WAR DAMN EAGLE
Da'blue Kwame Mfume
October 12th, 2010
2:10 pm
Stolen Jersey’s for Sale, Cars, Computers, Rings – call 1-800-uga-
“Put the players in full Burka’s as the required uniform.” We’d like to do that, but the Georgia Tech students wearing Burka’s have left the state with a supply shortage!
GA. Tech = Jihad U.
patrick
October 12th, 2010
2:10 pm
Come on man
October 12th, 2010
1:44 pm
patrick – you missed one important fact. The Tenn/UGA Score was 41-14
—————————————————–
I stand corrected….I turned it off after 35 to 14. But that only makes my point more valid
Athens Bail Bond
October 12th, 2010
2:13 pm
See our ad in the sports pages for a 10% off coupon. This should save the UGA “student athletes” some money so they can use it for other things like textbooks.
Leigh
October 12th, 2010
2:13 pm
Again, one set of standards for “stars”, and another set for those who aren’t. The coach’s lack of control over his team is evident both on and off the field. These types of decisions don’t make it look any better. Zero tolerance should apply to all players. If he really wants to send a message to his team, hand one of these “stars” their walking papers next time one of them is arrested and (Lord knows, that’s coming)and just see if that doesn’t get their attention.
Travis Leslie
October 12th, 2010
2:14 pm
the basketball season starts november 4 at 7:00 pm. hope to see 10,000 in stegman all year. imma dunk on all these mothas
shane
October 12th, 2010
2:14 pm
Trisha
Mallett is going to poop all over your unbeaten season. It’s over.
Come on man
October 12th, 2010
2:16 pm
patrick – you actually missed another important fact. The 26 total yards of offense on freakin Miami of Ohio was thru 3 quarters not the entire game.
UGA the Ocho
October 12th, 2010
2:17 pm
Why is the comment section open? Kid made a stupid mistake, paid his fine, and will now the school imposed punishment. Does anyone know how many classes the average student would be required to miss for the same infraction? I really doubt that the majority of the posters are alums. If you are not then you should keep quiet, this is a family issue and does not concern you. That means you buzz head, we got something special reserved for you anyway.
Brooks Conrad
October 12th, 2010
2:17 pm
And you thought I screwed up.
Spurrier
October 12th, 2010
2:17 pm
Leigh – who said you could leave the kitchen?
TrishaDishaWarEagle
October 12th, 2010
2:19 pm
Shane, I feel AU can and will beat the petrino’s(I still hate that SOB , Falcon style) and probably LSU, because Coach Chizik knows how to tell time.
I worry about us beating them both, then dumping a let down game like ole miss or UGA
bobby cox
October 12th, 2010
2:19 pm
brooks. go kill yourself
MURPHY
October 12th, 2010
2:19 pm
Hey shane,
How bout those kicking chickens? Told ya!
Trix Is For Kids
October 12th, 2010
2:20 pm
Only cops can run 76 mph in a 55 mph zone. King should know that.
Trey Thompkins
October 12th, 2010
2:21 pm
UGA2010-2011 = BBALL school
5150 P.O.A.D
October 12th, 2010
2:21 pm
Please MURRY get drunk and do something stupid in the next week and see what RICHT will do?
The UGA D stops fewer people from scoring than only the JERSEY SHORE CHICKS.
shane
October 12th, 2010
2:21 pm
They beat us. Bound to happen at some point. Sometimes a good @$$ whooping is good to cleanse the soul. Well we spotless now Murphy. LOL
Da'blue Kwame Mfume
October 12th, 2010
2:22 pm
I’m all in favor of recruiting football players who can barely spell their name. It’s all about opportunity.
come on
October 12th, 2010
2:22 pm
all u thuga fans better hope nothing comes from his blackmail case about the nude pictures and 5oo bucks. i mean how low can u be. someone helps u out and u won’t pay back, and then say u will post nude pictures of them. that is sad. and yall are defending him.
patrick
October 12th, 2010
2:23 pm
Da’blue Kwame Mfume
October 12th, 2010
2:10 pm
Stolen Jersey’s for Sale, Cars, Computers, Rings – call 1-800-uga-
“Put the players in full Burka’s as the required uniform.” We’d like to do that, but the Georgia Tech students wearing Burka’s have left the state with a supply shortage!
GA. Tech = Jihad U.
=================================
dead womans stolen credit card for use….just call Fla players
.
“time to die b!tch” cell phone ringtones for sale…just call Fla players
Boss Bailey
October 12th, 2010
2:23 pm
I need to give that boy another talking to.
Trix Is For Kids
October 12th, 2010
2:24 pm
You ever been passed by a cop with no sirens on doing like 90 mph in a 70 mph zone ? Happens to me daily. Its okay to speed if you’re a cop. What kinda law is dat ?
Bill Thomas
October 12th, 2010
2:24 pm
We must remain strong Dawg Nation. Believe in CMR and our players. We need to wear our colors and never forget we are BULL DAWGS!
MURPHY
October 12th, 2010
2:24 pm
shane,
Then my team(Uga) should be real clean with all the @$$ whoopings we have taken! Hope that loss bY Bama doesnt knock them from the National picture for the BCS.
Caleb King
October 12th, 2010
2:25 pm
Good think I kept those pictures of Coach Bobo or I wouldn’t be havin my scholarship no moe…
patrick
October 12th, 2010
2:25 pm
5150 P.O.A.D
October 12th, 2010
2:21 pm
Please MURRY get drunk and do something stupid in the next week and see what RICHT will do?
The UGA D stops fewer people from scoring than only the JERSEY SHORE CHICKS.
=============================================
UGA’s scoring D is ranked in the 20’s this year. numbnutz
TrishaDishaWarEagle
October 12th, 2010
2:25 pm
War Tiger…I can’t make lunch for you right now, I am all out of anti freeze
Charles Bannister
October 12th, 2010
2:26 pm
Who does Caleb think he is, me?
Les Miles
October 12th, 2010
2:27 pm
Coach Richt you could sell your soul like I did… weheeeeeeeheeeheee
I love Joe Cox
October 12th, 2010
2:27 pm
Bill is right. We have so much to be proud of as dogs. We should never forget how much Coach Richt has done for us. This year is a fluke.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
October 12th, 2010
2:27 pm
I bet a UGA player stole that big Zaxbys inflatable chicken, too!
TrishaDishaWarEagle
October 12th, 2010
2:27 pm
But now, you are messing with Ray Goff’s cash and he will stomp a hole in you
SCDawgFan
October 12th, 2010
2:28 pm
Anyone know the over/under on how many fumbles Ealey will have in those two games ?
finally disgusted
October 12th, 2010
2:28 pm
I have never posted before but feel compelled to express my frustration with this group of coaches and
players. I love GA football. Sure, I like to win. But I care most about how we win and lose and how
the team represents the university.
This program has “jumped the shark”. If there was ever a seminal moment to do the right thing,
this was it. This is no longer about a particular incident or its severity. Consider the totality of all
that has occurred. Richt and the administration have moved the line in the sand about a dozen times now. We really aren’t doing these your men any favors here.
What lessons are being taught? Certainly not the kind needed to succeed in life beyond football.
This program has zero integrity left. For those of us who have been fans for decades now, remember
how we used to feel? We were always proud of our dawgs; win or lose. When the right lessons are taught
it shows both on and off the field.
For way to long now, this program has been adrift. Doesn’t look like we can expect any real change any
time soon…
Odell Thurman
October 12th, 2010
2:28 pm
And the Thuga tradition continues. Shout out to my bo C. King.. YOYO
TrishaDishaWarEagle
October 12th, 2010
2:29 pm
Trix, I have been passed by cops doing 90 plenty of times , I just always assumed they were on their way to arrest a UGA player.