Grantham regrets choke sign: ‘Sometimes you get caught up in heat of moment’
(Updated 7:15 p.m.)
ATHENS – Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, caught on camera making a choking gesture toward Florida’s kicker near the end of last Saturday’s game, expressed regret about the incident Tuesday.
“As a competitor, sometimes you get caught up in the heat of the moment,” Grantham said. “I wish the situation hadn’t happened.
“It was a tough, hard-fought game. They won it, and I’m ready to move forward and finish out the year strong.”
Grantham said he has talked with Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity and coach Mark Richt about the incident, “and we’re ready to move forward.”
Asked if he feels that he owes an apology to the Florida kicker, Chas Henry, Grantham said: “I’ve kind of basically said what I’m going to say.”
Earlier Tuesday, at his weekly news conference, Richt also addressed the Grantham controversy.
“I’m aware of it, and I would just say that emotions run high,” Richt said. “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.”
A screen shot and video from Florida sports cable network Sun Sports showed Grantham making a choke sign – grabbing his neck with his right hand several times — before Henry attempted a 37-yard field goal in overtime.
Henry, a Dallas, Ga., native, made the kick to give Florida a 34-31 victory.
In an interview on CBS after the game, Henry said: “Some of [Georgia's] coaches on the sideline were over there giving me a little grief, saying I was going to choke.”
Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray, asked about the controversy Tuesday, said he hadn’t seen the video but had heard about the matter.
Grantham “was probably just like the rest of us, just hoping [Henry] missed the kick,” Murray said. “I don’t think it’s anything too much to get worked up about. It’s not like he charged the field at the kicker and tried to do something to him. . . . I think people are trying to make too big a deal about it.”
McGarity discussed the matter with SEC commissioner Mike Slive, according to UGA spokesman Claude Felton. “To the best of our knowledge,” Felton said, “the SEC is not pursuing anything on that.”
Durham likely out
Georgia wide receiver Kris Durham likely will be sidelined for Saturday’s game against Idaho State but should be available for the Nov. 13 game at Auburn, Richt said.
Durham suffered a bruised lung as a result of a fierce hit on a second-quarter catch against Florida. He returned to the game in the third quarter.
“I was a little upset because at first [doctors and trainers] told me I wasn’t going to be able to go back in,” Durham said Tuesday. “I mean, I wasn’t hurting. Well, yeah, I was a little sore, but that’s nothing.
“The only thing that really scared them was when I started kind of coughing up a little blood. But I felt fine. I could take deep breaths. They listened to my lungs and to my heart and took some vitals. I felt like I could play, so they allowed me back in. … I was very, very grateful for that because it was my last go-round against the Gators.”
Commings’ misplay
Among the Georgia players second-guessing themselves for misplays against Florida: cornerback Sanders Commings, who attempted to scoop and run with a first-quarter Florida fumble inside the Gators’ 10-yard line.
“I wish I would have just fallen on the ball now,” Commings said Tuesday. “It would have given the offense great field position to score, but I guess all I can do now is learn from it.”
Richt said the rule of thumb is to simply jump on the fumble “if there are bodies around” or to scoop and run with it “if you’re out in space.” He said Georgia twice Saturday tried to scoop-and-run with fumbles that should have been jumped on.
The Gators recovered the fumble that eluded Commings. It proved to be the first play of a 91-yard drive to the game’s first touchdown.
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752 comments Add your comment
Brian Asselstine
November 2nd, 2010
8:36 pm
First of all, I am not ready to give up on Grantham. Yes his D struggles but he has the sorry a$$ players they had last year. Passive non tacklers. I think he can coach. As for the gesture, he was emotional and even though probably not a great move, he was into the game trying to get into the kickers head. All people have complained about is no emotion, no fire, etc. Probably a bad gesture but dont give up on the guy. He will bring an agressive championship D soon.
Unbelievable
November 2nd, 2010
8:36 pm
RBC….BadA…I highly doubt it…it sounds like you have one about 1 inch long.
JeaStel
November 2nd, 2010
8:38 pm
Outcoached? Outplayed? It was a tie at the end of regulation play. I guess UF was outcoached and outplayed too. The Gayturds just happened to get the lucky break (int.) and the field goal. That game could’ve (and should’ve, except for the turnovers) gone the other way.
——————————————————-
Yes out coached because the Gators don’t have a very good team this year, lost 9 players to the NFL and no kicker. Meyer found a way to come up with some different plays, use 3 quarterbacks and change up our scheme after losing 3 in a row. Richt stayed the course with no new plays, credit to the UGA team for staying in it despite it.
UGA has had 4 turnovers in the last 3 meetings, it isn’t luck, its capitalizing on what talent you have. Florida got the ball on the 25 yard line just the same as UGA and managed to score a field goal without our kicker in the game. We sure are lucky alright……to have Meyer as a coach.
Unbelievable
November 2nd, 2010
8:38 pm
Also…Grantham’s comments make it clear that he is disingenious….he can’t apologize? Why?
Jiggy Smaha
November 2nd, 2010
8:40 pm
Give me a break….Florida’s A-hole of a coach plays Time-to-Die-Guy and everyone wants to make a big deal because a Georgia coach pulls for Florida’s kicker to choke. Put a camera and mic on Paul Johnson for a full game Thursday night and see how much you have to talk about.
Brian Asselstine
November 2nd, 2010
8:40 pm
Because he is not sorry!
Unbelievable
November 2nd, 2010
8:40 pm
Jea….love you post, but you are wasting your time.
You see, you never actually beat UGA…they just somehow fail to beat you. They ALWAYS have excuses.
Brian Asselstine
November 2nd, 2010
8:41 pm
Agree with Jiggy. Urban sold his soul in playing Rainey. Again, a guy that wants to win. I appreciate that.
Unbelievable
November 2nd, 2010
8:42 pm
Jiggy…great post…thanks for making my point.
Two wrongs don’t make a right…it’s not ok for UGA fans to pitch a fit about Rainey, and not pitch a fit about what Grantham did.
dawg lover
November 2nd, 2010
8:42 pm
So, he made the choke sign…big deal. at least he wasn’t scratching his b*&*#s on camera or pickin and flickin like a Techie.
Unbelievable
November 2nd, 2010
8:44 pm
Dawg Lover…you have just made us all dumber for having read what you just wrote. Are you like 14?
uga2002
November 2nd, 2010
8:44 pm
Fire Richt and take that idiot with him. How did Richt make an announcement that he didn’t know whether Grantham regretted it? And how hired him? If he does that on national tv what is he behind the scenes? He’s 44 years old, that’s a student he’s directing that to. What a ******* idiot and **** Richt for hiring him.
YEAAAH. WE LOOK LIKE THUGS. Arrests, jumping around like morons after the first TD of a game, selling jerseys, selling rings, selling us out. Richt has overstayed his welcome.
Now for all of the morons defending this, let me ask, do you see Saban doing this? Do you see Meyer doing this? Just imagine if he did btw? Tressel? Kelly? Chizik? Miles? Fulmer? The list goes on. You don’t see this.
This dude shouldn’t be a coach on any level because if he acts this way what are the players learning? How are they being led?
Fire Richt because all you need to know is everyone around the SEC is delighted to where we’re headed.
Coffee Bluff DAWG
November 2nd, 2010
8:45 pm
Unbelievable,
Read the headline – Grantham expresses regret. – OK – Get over it and all you other Gators too.
Nobody really cares at this point.
mayor bob
November 2nd, 2010
8:45 pm
Greg….let’s move the Georgia vs. Florida game to the 1st game of the season…..
Both teams..work over Spring and Summer to beat their biggest rival…
Big TV Game to kick off the season….
When Georgia loses…all the UGA fans..can get over the lose….
When you lose early the polls don’t care…vs..losing late in the season….
UGA fans don’t have to fret until the last weekend in October..to see if we can beat Florida…
Play the game in the Georgia Dome…weather..heat ..not a factor….split the tickets….like you do for SEC game….
I am sick of going thru the season and waiting for UGA to lose to Florida in October…let’s get the pain behind us….
Now…if we had a football program that was well managed and coached that could beat the Gators…maybe every other year…then..I would not be proposing this idea….
All UGA fans…we should start a petition to move the game to the first weekend in September….
For all those UGA fans who want to go to Jacksonville in October….let’s schedule a UGA vs. Florida State traditional game…….good football..no conference impact….
Make it happen!
Comments welcome….
uga2002
November 2nd, 2010
8:46 pm
Oh and by the way, apologize to the kick f-stick.
dawg lover
November 2nd, 2010
8:47 pm
Old enought to call you an idiot. go scratch yours if you have any.
Brian Asselstine
November 2nd, 2010
8:48 pm
Unbelievable
I have to differ. Grantham’s move was what it was. UF fans do not like it, I think ok. To me, the kicker shut5 him up and that is what its all about. As fo Rainey- that tool threatened a woman. Pretty lame and for Urban to sell his soul to avoid a 4th loss in a row shows lack of stones. I really do not care who wins the game , Urban just likes to give the impression that he does it better than everyone else. Not in this case. P.S. The Ole Ball Coach would not hsve played Rainey.
Nuf Said
November 2nd, 2010
8:49 pm
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Accordingly, all our efforts are guided by certain values we believe essential to the fulfillment of this task:
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TEAMWORK
If there is one concept that drives us, it is our dedication to winning in the broadest possible sense. We compete to win—as individuals, as team members, and as representatives of this great University. We clearly understand that the success of any one person is always the result of dedicated effort on the part of many people. So, while we are quick to recognize individual performance, we are even quicker to celebrate achievements of the team.
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Dedication to excellence should distinguish our efforts in every sport in which we compete and should be reflected in the performance of all our teams and in the fiscal soundness of our programs. Individually and collectively, we strive always to give our all and thereby realize our best possibilities.
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Our goal is to maintain a model athletic program which other colleges and universities may wish to emulate. Beyond this, we shall continue to pioneer and promote policies which will enhance the quality of intercollegiate athletics throughout America.
Dedication to the personal development of our student athletes, unfailing integrity and excellence in our programs, teamwork, and determination to play a leadership role nationally…these are the values which underlie our endeavors and the standards by which we measure ourselves.
Unbelievable
November 2nd, 2010
8:50 pm
Coffee…you’re wrong…you, and your fellow apolgist Dawg fans dont’ care, but you want this embarrassment to be behind you. However, it were an opposing coach that did this to one of your players, this would be talked about on this site for weeks. Grantham was asked, point blank, if he would apologize and he avoided answering by saying that he had nothign else to say. He can’t just say “yes I’m sorry?”
Jawja Boy
November 2nd, 2010
8:51 pm
2 years ago, Coach Saban’s coordinator said we were wearing black because we were going to a F#cking funeral! and we did… maybe seeing a little bit of enthusiasm is just what the doc ordered.
uga2002
November 2nd, 2010
8:52 pm
RICHT, FAIL.
UGA ALUMNI DEFENDING GRANTHAM, FAIL.
UGA FANS DEFENDING GRANTHAM BECAUSE OF WHATEVER REASON… par for the course. Wish we could get rid of most of you guys.
santoka
November 2nd, 2010
8:53 pm
No big deal on the action but the statement is lame. Sounds like a Clinton statement – I regret the situation (not I am sorry for my actions) and immediately – “lets move on”. Usually it is – mistake, then apology, then punishment, THEN lets move on.
Again, I don’t care about the choke sign, whatever…, just tired of the non-apology “apologies” with the “lets move on” statements that seem so common now. Great game to watch as a fan and really, given GA vs FLA, a pretty clean, sportsman-like game overall.
Swampdawg
November 2nd, 2010
8:54 pm
Richt … you have to recruit some “men” with upper body strength on defense! These you have are too weak and CANNOT tackle! Poor performance!
They are the ones that choked!
dawg lover
November 2nd, 2010
8:54 pm
Unbelievable….why do you care so much? You made your point. It wasn’t a crime….find another soapbox that means something.
Unbelievable
November 2nd, 2010
8:54 pm
Brian,
No…you can’t say Grantham’s move “was what it was.” What is “was” was distasteful and should never have happened. I’m not comparing what he did to what Rainey did. What I am saying is that you can’t complain about unclassy behavior on the part of Meyer for playing Rainey, and then turn around and waive at what Grantham did.
Brian Asselstine
November 2nd, 2010
8:55 pm
Swamp- I agree. I have said all along the coordinators are not the problem. It is the strength coach. He takes top 10 recruiting classes and in 2 years, has there a$$es pushed all over the field.
Swampdawg
November 2nd, 2010
8:56 pm
Richt… you need more “Diversity” on the Defense!
Brian Asselstine
November 2nd, 2010
8:57 pm
No Grantham made a classless move. Rainey broke the law by threatening a woman. Not the same.
Unbelievable
November 2nd, 2010
8:57 pm
UGA2002…thank you…you seem like a classy UGA fan that sees the bigger picture.
Dawg Lover…Again, it’s not a big deal to you because you don’t want it to be. All I am saying is be fair…if the shoe was on the other foot, you would be pitching a fit about it.
Unbelievable
November 2nd, 2010
8:58 pm
AND…apparently it is a big deal…it’s all over ESPN, Sportingnews, newspapers, Serius radio, etc.
Swampdawg
November 2nd, 2010
8:58 pm
The Dawg Defense looks like and plays like Grambling out there!
Brian Asselstine
November 2nd, 2010
8:59 pm
Un,,- I agree that Dog fans would make a big deal if the UF coach made the gesture.
Unbelievable
November 2nd, 2010
8:59 pm
Brian…the police called it a misdemeanor.
ol' balls coach
November 2nd, 2010
9:00 pm
Someone ought to be choking Grantham – what a sorry performance as a DC this year. And spare the line about getting players for the 3-4 – they don’t tackle, can’t cover in the secondary – bad hire – he does not understand the college game.
Brian Asselstine
November 2nd, 2010
9:00 pm
He threatened a woman. Come on
Brian Asselstine
November 2nd, 2010
9:01 pm
Do you think Spurrier would have played him?
Brian Asselstine
November 2nd, 2010
9:01 pm
NOT A CHANCE IN HELL
Trizzle
November 2nd, 2010
9:02 pm
I can’t believe it, no self respecting team leader would do that. I know they are sore about losing to us so many times, but come on. Chas didn’t deserve that, and you will NEVER see that kind of stuff coming from the Gator’s coaches. Players can be dirty, that goes for ANY team, but the LEADERSHIP needs to maintain good sportsman like conduct. With a head coach that has lost his edge to a defensive coordinator that acts like a child, the dawgs just have no hope. Go Gators, and see ya’ll next year!!!
Unbelievable
November 2nd, 2010
9:02 pm
Brian…via a text message. If you really wanted to hurt someone, would you send them a text message?
What Rainey did was wrong…but it was a misdemeanor offense…less than what some of the UGA football players have been arrested for.
uga2002
November 2nd, 2010
9:02 pm
BTW, who was supposed to pay King’s ticket? Geeish, hello NCAA.
Swampdawg
November 2nd, 2010
9:04 pm
I think Richt knows he as made a mistake hiring Grantham. They have had some serious chats on the sideline this year. Richt didn’t look to thrilled with his game plan performance either.
Brian Asselstine
November 2nd, 2010
9:04 pm
UN- Believe this. Spurrier would have never played him and Urban would not have played him if he had won a couple of those 3 losses
dawg lover
November 2nd, 2010
9:06 pm
Well, isn’t that special…it’s all over the news on a boring day…media makes mountains out of mole hills. A camera happened to catch him in one moment. I would say it would be a bigger deal if the kid had missed the kick; he didn’t so I think it ended there. Grantham made himself look pretty dumb when the choke didn’t happen. So let what played out be enough and move on. It really isn’t that newsworthy.
Unbelievable
November 2nd, 2010
9:06 pm
Brian,
I am not saying that he should have played. I honestly believe that he shouldn’t have. Zoom out for a minute. That has not been my point (as I have reiterated many times).
Even Steven
November 2nd, 2010
9:07 pm
As far as I’m concerned Grantham was wrong but he doesn’t owe anyone an apology until Spikes appologies to Georgia for trying to poke the eyes out of the Dawgs running backs in last years game. How quickly we forget…you Gator fans need to clean up your own house before you start pointing fingers at us.
Brian Asselstine
November 2nd, 2010
9:07 pm
Agree both wrong!
Unbelievable
November 2nd, 2010
9:08 pm
DawgLover….apparently, there are a TON of people around the country that disagree with you.
We are Rivals thats why
November 2nd, 2010
9:08 pm
Florida and Georgia have both had many arrests of their athletes that are still on the team. It is stupid for either side to go there, both schools have had embarrassments from players.
The coaches however is a different story. Your AD shamelessly caught with his “panties” exposed, your coach laughing as the players run on field and dance, and now an assistant taunting a 20 something year old on the field. Your coaches response? “People do things they wish they didn’t do.”
The only bump Meyer had was yelling at a reporter for an article on one of his players, unprofessional yes, but an exchange between 2 adults on Meyer’s field after practice, and he APOLOGIZED to the reporter face to face and made a public statement of apology.
It’s no so much the adversity, but how you handle it. It’s clear there is a different culture on the UGA staff than UF’s. Nuff said.
uga2002
November 2nd, 2010
9:08 pm
Hey, why do we care what is going on in UF’s house when ours is an absolute mess and crumbling. This isn’t about being relative in our behavior, this is about being the best team possible.
A 44 year old mans actions on the field vs a students text to his girlfriend no matter how the law views are not equal in the sense that a kid will make mistakes, 44 year old prima donna football coach acting like that is inexcusable. We’ve all played football, we all know those immature coaches that are the part-time little league baseball coaches that go ballistic on an 8 year old. That’s what we have here.
Fire that ahole and everyone that hired him. Just because you talk slow and act slow, like Richt does, is in no way showing that you are in control over anything.
We are a train wreck and I hope we make single handedly give Newton his Heisman and GT a much needed win otherwise this will forever continue. No more excuses. Fire Richt.
LMAO
November 2nd, 2010
9:11 pm
Swampdawg:
“Richt … you have to recruit some “men” with upper body strength on defense! These you have are too weak and CANNOT tackle!”
Yeah, that’s what we’re lacking, upper body strength on defense, too weak, can’t tackle.
Let’s hire Swampdog to recruit some “men”.