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
Who's in Charge?
November 2nd, 2010
2:17 pm
“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.”
It sounds like CMR hasn’t really discussed it with CTG. He kept saying “I think”. If he had talked to him, as a head coach should, why didn’t he say “I know”?
Just another warning sign that Mark Richt is not in control of the program. SAD! SAD! SAD!
bye richt
November 2nd, 2010
2:18 pm
poor fella was just choking on UGA’s dog bone and nobody was helping him
SEC4Life
November 2nd, 2010
2:19 pm
Why is this even an issue?
Buckeye
November 2nd, 2010
2:19 pm
Didn’t Mike Vick choke his (huh humm) Dawgs??
So What?
November 2nd, 2010
2:21 pm
Who cares? Is this any different from the HC calling a time out? What is that for? This is football folks, get a life if you don’t get it.
Red Neck
November 2nd, 2010
2:21 pm
If you’re not a UGA fan don’t comment on this blog. Only an idiot would say something that stupid. Grow up.
jack bull
November 2nd, 2010
2:22 pm
cause its pretty embarrasing, that’s why… a grown man doing this? he’s gotta know he needs to get one of his players to do these things, not himself!!!
Skitty Fritty
November 2nd, 2010
2:22 pm
What a story about a defensive coordinator getting fired up during a game. Does anyone remember Erk Russell? Are you sure he wasn’t sending a message to Chris Rainey regarding his girlfriend?
Tech82
November 2nd, 2010
2:23 pm
I am typically the last person to defend a UGA player or coach but what’s the big deal? He wanted the UF kicker to miss the kick. So did every other UGA fan/coach/player. So what? I would be more concerned about a coach that DIDN’T want the kicker to choke (miss the kick). Grantham’s mistake, and it was just that – a mistake, was to make a visible gesture. Time to move on to the next issue.
Coach Hewitt...
November 2nd, 2010
2:23 pm
Hell, at least CTG was showing some emotion… From the pic I saw, CMR was lookin’ on the ground for dropped change…
Dr. Philly
November 2nd, 2010
2:23 pm
Football is too barbaric.
It should be reduced to coed flag football to ensure no one gets hurt and everyone is represented equally.
While they’re at it, there should be no cursing allowed on the sideline.
If anyone is caught cursing, the ref must force that player/coach/cheerleader to sit in their locker for 5 min. after the offender apologizes over the PA systems to the entire stadium and TV viewing audience.
Z-Dawg
November 2nd, 2010
2:24 pm
As a huge UGA fan this is embarrassing. Almost glad the kid made it. If UF coaches had done this to Walsh we’d all be in an uproar. No excuse for it. Just sad. Heat of the moment doesn’t cover something that stupid that will be shown for the next 5 years or until he’s gone.
Spurrier
November 2nd, 2010
2:25 pm
Georgia needs to get out of the SEC. They’re embarrassing the other schools with their childess behavior. Please, just leave.
jack bull
November 2nd, 2010
2:25 pm
just wondering though, how often was ERK RUSSELL on TV? not sure he had 15 cameras at the stadium looking for anything and everything…
CyclopsEye
November 2nd, 2010
2:25 pm
It certainly isn’t as bad as say…telling your whole team to charge the end zone after scoring a touchdown, risking an all-out brawl!
puppydawg
November 2nd, 2010
2:26 pm
@ dlagator, if Damon’s friend wants her red panties back, tell your Mommy to give ‘em back if she hasn’t stretched ‘em out too much.
Top Recruit
November 2nd, 2010
2:26 pm
How close do you think TG’s defense is closing on the spread, by the hair on a chin. Keep it up Coach Grantham…damn we love this fighting spirit in a man. I’m on your side any day Coach.
Jeff Schultz, the next time you see TG give a “kick in the butt sign” from the sideline, think of it as you ass and write a story.
Peter
November 2nd, 2010
2:26 pm
Yes just more CLASS from the Mark Richt run program.
Move on now…..time to steal something ? Get a DUI, or forget about a court date ?
Gotta Love a coach ……who has ” TOTAL Control ” of the Program !
Perhaps you better win FIRST in the future…… then accuse the other side of choking.
Great Job Georgia…….you make us so EMBARRASSED !
KR
November 2nd, 2010
2:27 pm
Probably not his finest moment, but does it really warrant all of the coverage the media has been putting on it?
jack bull
November 2nd, 2010
2:28 pm
i personally think he could’ve been sending the sign to Baccari Rambo, you know, the guy who hits a receiver AFTER a 30 yd gain, then acts like he did something special….
wildbill
November 2nd, 2010
2:29 pm
The dawgs have lost out in newspaper coverage in the Gainesville Times. Today, there was a tiny 5 sentence note about Grantham. There was a double column,1/3 page article about Ga. Tech. Congrats, UGA football, you are now a footnote in the Sports pages.
Top Recruit
November 2nd, 2010
2:29 pm
Coach Granthan…endeared forever in the hearts and souls of alum Dawgs. Keep it going, we are with you Coach Grantham!
Shankit
November 2nd, 2010
2:31 pm
We have got to show more class in sports events.
No more cow bells
No more waving white towels at kickers, pitchers, etc.
No more choke signs
No more waves in the stands by the spectators.
No more chastising the officials.
No more slugging opponents on the sidelines.
No more waving by the defense on field goals.
Do unto others as you would have them to do unto you.
Tazra Rose
November 2nd, 2010
2:32 pm
Thanks, Todd. Now Urban Myer has another reason to use all of his time-outs to drag out next year’s loss to Florida.
404
November 2nd, 2010
2:32 pm
Well, if there was ONE and ONLY ONE statement that so completely sums up the situation at UGAG, then this is certainly it:
“I don’t think he’s necessarily proud of it.
We’re just going to learn from it and move on.”
It’s become the STANDARD UGAG repsonse for anything.
Shankit
November 2nd, 2010
2:32 pm
Chas Henry should have taken up golf.
Gillislee
November 2nd, 2010
2:34 pm
Coach Grantham – Way to Coach em’ Up to 5 losses with at least 1 more coming.
http://secfb.neswblogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/UGABarnSign20102.jpg
Duckafawg
November 2nd, 2010
2:34 pm
It is amazing to see all of the UGA fans saying it’s no big deal…of course…when approximately one-sixth of the team has been arrested in the last year i can see how you become numb to bad behavior
Dawghater
November 2nd, 2010
2:34 pm
Grantham fits in perfectly at UGA. No class works great at UGA!
4-5 and counting
PHIL
November 2nd, 2010
2:34 pm
If Erk Russell were coaching today all these same idiots who keep bringing him up would be yelling for his head. why don’t you go back and look at all the 4 and more loss seasons his defense led us to and then figure out why you people think so highly of him. Idiots.
I am glad we have someone who is emotional.
Another thing that I find hilarious is the people who respond here that are fans of other schools. Not once in my life have I ever read a blog for another school. I don’t have time. Don’t you think these people could actually get a life?
Same goes for everyone else who lives and dies, or seems to , with the wins and losses of a football team made up of 21 year olds. IT’S A GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
gatorgtboyz
November 2nd, 2010
2:35 pm
can’t we all just hug and tickle each other’s rears?
RussDawg
November 2nd, 2010
2:35 pm
I was giving the choke sign and the finger !
Get over it and move on.
Good Grief we have to beat Tech for our shot at Shreveport!!!
404
November 2nd, 2010
2:35 pm
U – U
G – Get
A – Arrested
has now become…
U – U
G – Get
A – Asphyxiated
Big Deal
November 2nd, 2010
2:36 pm
It really is not a big deal. Everyone of us has had a moment in our jobs when we did something really boneheaded. The boss gives you a good telling off but nothing more and I suspect that is what Richt should and will do. None of us were fired and Grantham won’t be either.
Jaydawg
November 2nd, 2010
2:36 pm
I dont think this was any moreoffensive than the shot of Meyer with his fingers in his nose.
Dawgs Friend
November 2nd, 2010
2:39 pm
There will be no disciplinary action taken against Coach Grantham beause he broke no rule. He will probably apoligize and that should end all of this needless
nonsense that the AJC started.
Tiger Woods
November 2nd, 2010
2:39 pm
Classless. I never use a fist pump at an opponent.
gatorgtboyz
November 2nd, 2010
2:39 pm
football should be played where it was meant to be:
on the couch via xbox.
gatorgtboyz
November 2nd, 2010
2:40 pm
We love you Jeff Schultz.
You’re our HERO!!
DILLIGAF
November 2nd, 2010
2:41 pm
Meyer was doing the “gaytor chomp” to the fans after the kick, classless and immature, yes, so what’s the difference?
Coach Mullen
November 2nd, 2010
2:42 pm
We have cow bells, we don’t have to use the choke sign.
Chuck Allison
November 2nd, 2010
2:42 pm
Funny how Georgia coaches do so much in Jacksonville to regret later. Just a few years ago, Richt instructed his entire team to run onto the field illegally and draw a penalty, saying that he would “be disappointed if they didn’t”. Now Grantham gives a childish choke sign. It sure looks like the Florida game brings out the immaturity of UGA coaches. The UGA AD needs to step in and issue a little disciplinary action. Who knows but what this kind of misbehavior might rub off on the players and lead to them getting arrested back in Athens. Oh, wait!
dbo
November 2nd, 2010
2:42 pm
chas henry is just a big baby as urban cryer is. it ’s football leave your emotions in the locker room. who cares if he did it, move on with your lives people
Shankit
November 2nd, 2010
2:44 pm
I remember years ago, Florida vs. Florida State
the field goal kicker for Florida STate kicking a
game ending field goal after having been tantalized
unmercifully by the Gator fans, then coming off the
field giving them the Gator chomp.
Priceless.
John
November 2nd, 2010
2:45 pm
I’m neutral on both Georgia and Florida. But it’s funny when I see a lot of Georgia fans are saying the Grantham incident is no big deal and the Florida fans say just the opposite. And last year after the eye gouging incident on the field by the Florida player, a lot of Florida fans were saying it was no big deal while Georgia fans were saying it was.
Damon Evans
November 2nd, 2010
2:45 pm
You ignorant inbreds, Todd Grantham is “Good People”.
Coach K
November 2nd, 2010
2:45 pm
Our fans would never tantalize an opponent
trying to make a foul shot.
gatorgtboyz
November 2nd, 2010
2:46 pm
Grantham better wear goggles when he comes to JAX next year!
Jan Kemp's Advisor
November 2nd, 2010
2:47 pm
I Have advised our clientale to not worry about this. It is very helpful too have improper acting kids too be coached by improper acting coaches.
cajdawg
November 2nd, 2010
2:49 pm
I think it is uncool for a grown man to harrass an opposing college player, but did the kicker even hear or see Grantham? There were 70,000 screaming fans and a sea of red on the UGA sideline.