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
Portland State
November 2nd, 2010
9:52 pm
UGA FAN, Pete Caroll was the answer to an earlier triva question. Everyone knows Glen Mason is the man for the UGA job.
Unbelievable
November 2nd, 2010
9:52 pm
Dawg Lover…funny…if he has said it to the reporter when asked, than everyone would have heard it.
Roy Barnes
November 2nd, 2010
9:53 pm
Why didn’t y’all vote for me? I’m a Dawg fan!
Brian Asselstine
November 2nd, 2010
9:53 pm
Un- Ok Lets agree to disagree on that. UGA Fan- Sorry to blow your Mullen wish but rumor is Meyer retires this year due to those lingering health concerns and Florida will ink Mullen to lead the Gators.
College Football Expert
November 2nd, 2010
9:53 pm
getting boring…
Bored?
November 2nd, 2010
9:57 pm
getting boring…
No it’s not the least bit boring.
Brian Asselstine
November 2nd, 2010
9:58 pm
LMAO- Read more closely. I am not a UF fan. I am a UGA fan but UGA HAS BEEN DOMINATED in the seriess of late. Sorry you are in denial. I hope Richt can turn this around. I do not think UGA can land a better coach. He and the program has issues and the mental block aginst UF is the greatest.
dawg lover
November 2nd, 2010
9:58 pm
Roy….you are a Democrat…reason enough…
Wolf Blitzer
November 2nd, 2010
9:58 pm
I think Grantham’s giving the choke sign is the single biggest reason Republicans took control of the U.S. House tonight.
How does my hair look?
LMAO
November 2nd, 2010
9:58 pm
Unbelievable:
“Todd Grantham…hilarious!”
This is true, he is funny but his defense is ranked 31st in the nation in overall defense comapred to 89th last season Where is Tech’s ranked? (yeah, I know you’re a Tech putz)
Laughing
November 2nd, 2010
9:58 pm
That is a real nothing of an issue. Who cares? Why is it even in print?
dawg lover
November 2nd, 2010
10:01 pm
Laughing…..Unbelievable REALLY cares…just ask him in case you missed his 9,000 posts on the subject. But I heard Todd is taking him to dinner tomorrow night.
Brooks Conrad
November 2nd, 2010
10:03 pm
Why is everyone saying I am going to get a World Series ring? i don’t get it….
dawg lover
November 2nd, 2010
10:04 pm
Oopa,,,unbleiveable and many, many others.
bigcalidawg
November 2nd, 2010
10:06 pm
The first thing that comes to mind is ………..shove it!
Bali
November 2nd, 2010
10:07 pm
Unbelievable,
What’s unbelievable is you’re still on here trying your best to get people to agree with you. I bet you absolutely hate to lose an argument don’t you? You’ll defend that the sky is red if you think you’re right. Like some have said, why do you effing care so much? How in the hell does this affect you personally? You sound like you just need something to b!tch about. There are probably much more important things that need your attention rather than blathering on a sports blog.
Gen Forrest
November 2nd, 2010
10:07 pm
Yet another nation-wide embarassment for the State of Georgia, compliments of (as usual) UGA and their spineless head coach. Do you all really have ANY idea how this kind of garbage reflects on the whole state in the eyes of the rest of the country? I travel constantly, and the (mis)behavior of this team and administration has become a running joke! No one in their right mind would send their child to Athens anymore. UGA used to be viewed with great respect around the nation (and no, I DON’T mean just the thug football team!), but now it is seen as a total joke academically (The whole #1 party school thing is only cool to kids under 18 years old) and athletically (just look at the record over the last 2 or 3 years. ‘Nuf said!). It’s truly sad to see such an esteemed institution sink so low due to it’s own inability to control it’s employees and students.
Truly pathetic. It will take many years to begin to rebuild the schools image/perception. Sad.
George W. Bush
November 2nd, 2010
10:07 pm
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
Told y’all. To quote Coach Grantham, blow me.
The Ole Ball Coach
November 2nd, 2010
10:07 pm
If it was Meyer nothing would have been said or written….. Right AJC
whypost
November 2nd, 2010
10:08 pm
almost 570 posts on a team that no longer matters?
georgiagirl
November 2nd, 2010
10:12 pm
Now here is something that maybe you all need to read and pray for this young man family
Instead of writing and reading about useless childless things. This important not a coach getting over emotional like the 100,000 or fans there.
Fw: Mississippi State Player Dies
Mississippi State defensive end Nick Bell, who underwent emergency brain surgery Monday for cancer, died Tuesday at Alabama-Birmingham Hospital. ‘Nick was a son and he was a brother to everyone in this football family,’ said Bulldogs coach Dan Mullen (photo). Bell, 20, a returning starter, had started …three games this year before he suffered headaches in September. He had surgery on Oct. 1 and was expected to recover, but his condition deteriorated in the past week.
LMAO
November 2nd, 2010
10:12 pm
Brian Asselstine:
“LMAO- Read more closely. I am not a UF fan.”
No, you’re a Sweatbee fan and that’s almost as annoying.
“He and the program has issues and the mental block aginst UF is the greatest.’
Alright, lets break this down. “He and the program has issues’, first of all, this is not a proper sentence.
Second, he has issues and the program has issues, are these separate issues or are the combined issues but also separate? Gotta know these things to understand where you are coming from.
Third, is the “mental block’ the greatest, like the greatest thing “since sliced bread’ or the “greatest of all time’ like Ali?
I’m not really a shrink, I just play one on T.V.
Howdy
November 2nd, 2010
10:13 pm
I want your job Jeff. There is no excuse for your repeated bashing of our programs. Your not a Georgian you are a wolf in sheeps clothing. I want a journalist who reports the postives and looking forward. Don’t believe me go to any and i mean ANY other major paper and see how there writers talk about there programs only the AJC writers bash there own! with such frequency and then turn around and praise the opponent. Bet no one heard bout the Tenn. player being arrested for domestic violence read a little bit on scout.com. What bout Rainey who just so happens to make it for the GA game no, the writers of our staff have to say how Mr. Meyer out coached us, he still got what it takes. I think Victoria Secret is having a sale this weekend seen it in the FLA. TIMES UNION or was that the TENN. TIMES the girls caught my eye figured you need the wardrobe though hope it helps you
bigcalidawg
November 2nd, 2010
10:14 pm
Gen forrest Sir,
You are a douche…..and clueless…and you fabricate your own reality.
In other parts of the world, they are oblivious to college football. Unless you are traveling from Phenix City to Ft. Benning and consider that worldly…….
Leave the southeast and read a book written during the 50’s.
Furman Bisher
November 2nd, 2010
10:15 pm
Why is this a story? I don’t care if Coach Grantham gave the choke sign, the bunt sign, the steal sign, choked his engine or choked his chicken.
Did y’all remember to vote for President Reagan?
Bali
November 2nd, 2010
10:16 pm
LMAO, now that was funny!
bigcalidawg
November 2nd, 2010
10:17 pm
Grammar police is funny when it’s not me (gr).
Furman Bisher
November 2nd, 2010
10:22 pm
These messages confuse me…have Tech fans stopped douching? I was wondering what that smell was….
Furman Bisher
November 2nd, 2010
10:24 pm
Look at Sarah Palin on FOX News….hoochy mama!!! Where’s my Cialis?
Bali
November 2nd, 2010
10:26 pm
A lot of people on here are putting a lot of energy into what Grantham did and seem to be awfully upset about it. Right now I could care less. What concerns me is getting Pelosi and Reid out of office before they turn this country on it’s head. And yes, I know it’s a sports blog. I wish all the idiots who are “so mad” at Grantham could be that passionate about something they can actually change.
Todd
November 2nd, 2010
10:26 pm
Enter your comments here
Bali
November 2nd, 2010
10:27 pm
Furman, easy there old fella. I think you have a better chance with Geraldine.. lol
Jordan
November 2nd, 2010
10:29 pm
Here’s my take:
http://isportsweb.com/2010/11/02/bulldogs-defensive-coordinator-todd-grantham-causes-controversy/
Todd Grantham
November 2nd, 2010
10:29 pm
Bali -
You are right. Let’s take the attention off me and focus it on Sarah Palin on FOX News right now. I’d like to put a safety blitz on her right now….
Jeff Schultz
November 2nd, 2010
10:34 pm
WILL YOU ALL TAKE MY ARTICLES SERIOUSLY?? THIS IS IMPORTANT STUFF!! And I have to write about something since Tech sucks so bad.
Hunker Down
November 2nd, 2010
10:37 pm
While CTG admits he did something in the heat of the moment he would like to undo it says a few things about UGA program. First, that we did not make some lame excuse that it was coincidental and he was merely scratching his neck, etc. like you hear to often today. Secondly, that it was a highly intense game and emotions wer running high. That people do things when adrelin is running that they would not do in normal situations Thirdly, CTG has some fire in his belly that will serve us well in the future. Past history and time to think about Idaho State now. Good luck Dawgs in the remianing part of the season.
AJC Moderator
November 2nd, 2010
10:38 pm
Due to the irrelevance of this story this blog is now shut down. For those interested in posting on an irrelevant topic, you are welcome to post on the Georgia Tech football blog on ajc.com.
Collegefootballfan
November 2nd, 2010
10:57 pm
BG: Richt is 8 of 9 against Tech, and what are the Gators against Georgia?
Woody
November 2nd, 2010
11:09 pm
If we were winning then no of this would be talked about. To the Dawgs Fans—Shut the @#$% up and support your team!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mike Bobo 17 INT
November 2nd, 2010
11:09 pm
Enter your comments here
Mike Bobo 17 INT
November 2nd, 2010
11:10 pm
Make all the gestures and apologies you want, score still remains Florida 18 of 21, and 2 national titles under Meyer. UGA has to quit being jealous.
Dave Cutler
November 2nd, 2010
11:15 pm
WOW…….750,000K a year for a crappy defense and an immature piece of classless dog pile that is Todd Grantham. UGA will win Saturday….but not again this year…5-7 for the DAWGS.
ga gator
November 2nd, 2010
11:15 pm
Been watching the election returns all night and this is what I find out is going on. Everyone stfu about Grantham, it is football not soccer.
BigDawg
November 2nd, 2010
11:16 pm
Ok, so for all of those that were saying he was giving some sort of defensive signal, there’s your answer, he actually was making the choke signal to their kicker. It’s just another example of what our program has come to. We’ve had all sorts of problems off the field that have translated to on field issues and it all starts at the top. If our so called leaders are acting like morons, what do you think the players will do. Absolutely pathetic, I’m tired of this staff and where the program is headed. Big changes need to be made ASAP!
Harold
November 2nd, 2010
11:18 pm
Find something important to write about dumb arse!
done.
November 2nd, 2010
11:21 pm
I am a UGA grad. I spent several years in Athens as a musician before I went back to school and became a physicist. I then went on to UF and got my Master’s in Aerospace Engineering.
As an alum I don’t think I can take anymore of this nonsense. I can let anything go as long as we beat our two main rivals…UF and Tech. 2-8 vs. UF i not good enough despite the great record against Tech. I would trade two losses to the nutjobs on North Ave. for 1 win against the Gators. SICK OF the annual Jax disappointment. Move the bye week. Give this rivalry it’s rightful attention! We can beat Tech with no extra prep work I think.
UF has their bye before us EVERY year…..why don’t we take them as seriously…would 3 decades of beatdowns get our attention? McGarrity…you sir know the benefits!!!!
GO GATA
November 2nd, 2010
11:24 pm
HE WAS JUST REACTING TO THE FACT THAT HE NOW HAS BECOME ONE OF OUR B@TCHES JUST LIKE RICHT AND THE REST OF YOU NADLICKERS!!!!
ga gator
November 2nd, 2010
11:26 pm
done as an Aerospace Engineer I would have thought you would check your facts; in 2009 UGA had a bye week and all they could come up with different was wearing Grambling helmets.
Ga Dawg 97
November 2nd, 2010
11:32 pm
I still say he was directing the choke sign to Aaron Murray!
Krogunner
November 2nd, 2010
11:33 pm
Grantham is a jerk and a loser!