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
twisted - watch yourself
November 2nd, 2010
5:14 pm
listen here you little punk. first, a move like Spike’s deserved more than a one game suspension. that was classless. however, you clearly are a tough guy cause you can talk big via a computer. you need a good punch in the face if you go around talking to people like that. i hope you get one soon.. .
annierooneydawgfan
November 2nd, 2010
5:17 pm
So what…he probably meant he hoped the kicker “choked” as in miss the field goal. Don’t make a big deal of out of AJC, because it’s not one!
Mobile Dawg
November 2nd, 2010
5:21 pm
Sorry to disappoint. Folks are going to pile on the CTG story. It’s already gone National. Mark it down, it will be on ESPN, in the papers. This is just one more straw going on CMR’s (the camels) back, his lame attempt to let this slide earlier today failed. I said the process has started. Welcome, this is just some of the process.
SLICK RICHT
November 2nd, 2010
5:22 pm
HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA. I hope all you gayturds choke.
Tenacious B
November 2nd, 2010
5:22 pm
He should have just sent him a threatening text message instead.
T
November 2nd, 2010
5:24 pm
classy as always UGA..classy……
No matter
November 2nd, 2010
5:26 pm
what he was trying to do, in the end it was the bulldogs that choked on gator meat once again
SLICK RICHT
November 2nd, 2010
5:26 pm
You morons get real the kicker is no kid. He is a 21 yr old man. Idiots.
Taco Time!
November 2nd, 2010
5:30 pm
Seeing as how I’ve been pretty hard on this coaching staff, I might as well weigh in – I think too much is being made of this.
I just watched Around the Horn’s segment on this, and the righteous indignation by the panel participants made me want to retch.
This is the kind of thing that needs to be handled in a short, closed-door meeting between the head coach and the staff member in question. A light rap on the knuckles perhaps, brief mention in a press conference, and next question, please.
T
November 2nd, 2010
5:30 pm
uh..yeah…WE’RE the idiots…riiiiiiiiiiight…..
I think
November 2nd, 2010
5:31 pm
the Florida kicker had the right response for the Ga coach, he made the kick and won the game for his team.
Einsteindawg
November 2nd, 2010
5:31 pm
What a crock, and folks get a life. CTG was only doing what 100% of the UGA coaches and players and 99% of GA’s fans were thinking. Big Deal! Go vote.
Rules are Rules
November 2nd, 2010
5:40 pm
From the NCAA football rule book: Talking to an opponent in any manner that is demeaning, vulgar, abusive or “trashy’’ or intended to incite a physical response or verbally put an opponent down is illegal.
Grantham is guilty. The big question is what will Richt do about it?
Probably nothing.
I am sure that the Choke sign was meant
November 2nd, 2010
5:42 pm
for Mike Bobo for his absolutely steller OT performance.
Really confused
November 2nd, 2010
5:43 pm
Once again Schultz has turned on the Dawgs and has all his GT, FLA, and who knows or cares where else responding. Seriously, all UGA fans should stop commenting and maybe he’ll lose his job. I just can’t figure why the sign was bad.
UGA '06
November 2nd, 2010
5:44 pm
Mark Richt has lost any control over his players and coaching staff. I wish I could say I was surprised, but it’s just another example. As a UGA alum, I’m embarrased.
Really confused
November 2nd, 2010
5:45 pm
Rules are Rules is really pushing that one. Maybe we can get Grantham’s felony reduced to a misdemeanor like Rainey did. Now, that was a crime. You are crazy, R are R.
Mobile Dawg
November 2nd, 2010
5:45 pm
Richt will have to take some sort of decisive action to quiet this down. It will however be another skeleton in the closet that will rattle for years. The end zone celebration still resonates.
MURPHY
November 2nd, 2010
5:46 pm
We have dont everything in this GA/FLA game:
*Danced in the end zone
*Wore new uniforms
*Showed the choke sign for intimidation(ha-that worked)
*Sure there is more to come
One thing we have yet to do-WIN ON A CONSISTENT BASIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MURPHY
November 2nd, 2010
5:46 pm
*DONE EVERYTHING
Dawg Gone-it
November 2nd, 2010
5:47 pm
Grantham for head coach. He is the only one on game day who cares about the outcome.
Atlanta Gator
November 2nd, 2010
5:53 pm
More bulletin board material for next year’s game. No wonder the Gators are hyped up and win.
ARdawg
November 2nd, 2010
5:59 pm
Grantham just had a pubic hair stuck in his throat and was doing a Larry David hack. C’mon now, who among us has never had a pubic hair in the throat?
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 2nd, 2010
6:01 pm
Enter your comments here
Gainesville Dawg
November 2nd, 2010
6:01 pm
What a way to make news for UGA. I guess all the Bulldog fans should be honored to be continuously in the news. Is UGA the only team in the state to get recognition?
It seems like the reporters say “Let’s see what I can find that will be negative to UGA.”
Burma Shave
November 2nd, 2010
6:02 pm
Grantham is nasty
And has a trashy mouth
That’s why they call it
The Cesspool of the South.
Burma Shave
Ed
November 2nd, 2010
6:03 pm
Ironic, considering that it’s UGA that regularly chokes against UF.
More embarrassment from this staff. It’s time for Richt to go.
UGA Program Sux
November 2nd, 2010
6:03 pm
Players arrested numerous times…..Athletic Director fired for panty incident….coaches are now throwing choke signs against opposing players….UGA has to have the worst football program in the country…..something needs to be done….Win or lose, at least have class….
skydawg
November 2nd, 2010
6:04 pm
Really? This makes the dayum fish wrapper again? And the AJC continues to wonder why the have an ever decreasing subscription base. This is why. A guy makes a hand gesture for the kicker to choke and it gets 2 days worth of coverage by this crap operation that calls itself a newspaper. More like tabloid journalism is you ask me. What a bunch of candy-a$$es that must make up the AJC staff. Sissies!
skydawg
November 2nd, 2010
6:05 pm
@Gainesville Dawg….UGA is the only team that matters in this state. If that’s what you’re asking.
Ed
November 2nd, 2010
6:07 pm
“I don’t think he’s necessarily proud of it. We’re just going to learn from it and move on.”
Could Richt be any more milquetoast?
kkong
November 2nd, 2010
6:08 pm
So what if he gave a choke sign…what’s the big deal?
skydawg
November 2nd, 2010
6:08 pm
@Rules are Rules…that’s for the players on the field a$$hat, not for a coach on the sidelines. What a bunch of politically correct sissies we have become if a guy giving a choke sign in a football game offends someone. No wonder this country is going down the crapper. Because we have no one with a spine anymore.
Beast from the East
November 2nd, 2010
6:12 pm
I can’t believe this is still getting blog hits. Non-story that just needs to go away. Henry nailed the kick and the game is over. End of story.
4th and Long Gone
November 2nd, 2010
6:20 pm
If Urban had made the choke sign to Murray, would you all think it was okay? I doubt it. You would be saying how classless he was …
Again and Again
November 2nd, 2010
6:25 pm
Richt: “We’re just going to learn from it and move on.”
How many times have we heard Richt say this?
Is anyone else getting tired of this line?
Johnnie Cochran
November 2nd, 2010
6:29 pm
If the throat bends, you must suspend.
Mike Slive
November 2nd, 2010
6:31 pm
Just saw this. McGarity is getting a call in the morning.
robertussen
November 2nd, 2010
6:32 pm
why is that even news? whats the big deal? you want the guy to miss or “choke”
icedawg
November 2nd, 2010
6:33 pm
Since Grantham could not be on the field and distract the kicker he was only doing the next best thing and attempting do it from the sidelines.
Mike Slive
November 2nd, 2010
6:34 pm
Taunting is against SEC and NCAA rules.
Georgia will be penalized.
gtforever
November 2nd, 2010
6:35 pm
Message = My expectations for my coaches’ behavior isn’t any higher than my expectations for my players’ behavior, which are pretty low…
Well Put, and according to this blog, most but not all UGA fans, have the same low expectations…
Some things never change!
Florida Fan
November 2nd, 2010
6:47 pm
As a Florida graduate I just want to give a big “thank you” to all you folks who are making a big deal out of a meaningless hand gesture while simultaneously ignoring the fact my head coach reinstated a domestic violence offender. All I can say is the media must really hate Georgia to concentrate on this while Meyer and Rainey get a pass. Thanks Jeff Shultz and keep up the good work.
GTBob
November 2nd, 2010
6:48 pm
Its not that big of a deal but with all the embarrassments UGA has had lately, it doesn’t look good to be acting like that when you are a coach. I’m sure Richt doesn’t care at all. I’m not sure if that guy cares about anything at all.
Deb
November 2nd, 2010
6:50 pm
Red n Black Art of War – show no mercy to your enemies! I want a leader who is doing everything they can to disrupt the opponent, for the love of all that is Holy stand behind him and get your tail from between your legs.
————————————————————————–
Thank God my kid doesn’t go to Georgia. You expect and get that kind of behavior from young college kids, Florida has had their share of player issues. I expect the coaches, however, to be leaders, set examples, show good sportmanship and above all, show more maturity than their young students, especially on the national stage.
No wonder you guys can’t beat Florida. Dancing on the field like a pop warner team when you make a touchdown and coaches taunting 19 year old players on the field. Pathetic
Chris Rainey
November 2nd, 2010
6:51 pm
That fool Grantham was just telling me to go easy on my girlfriend after the game.
coach myer
November 2nd, 2010
6:55 pm
hey 4th and long gone i would never do such a thing. Oh by the way I just heard he is getting a 2 game suspension for it.
Jack Wagon
November 2nd, 2010
6:57 pm
Chris,
Since you already had your way with the Georgia defense and special teams, it does me proud to see you had enough left for your girlfriend.
Deb
November 2nd, 2010
7:01 pm
Art of War – show no mercy to your enemies! I want a leader who is doing everything they can to disrupt the opponent, for the love of all that is Holy stand behind him and get your tail from between your legs.
————————
Thank God my kid doesn’t go to Georgia. Florida sure has had its share of player problems, as have UGA, but I expect the coaches to show leadership, maturity and set an example, not taunt a 19 year old on the sideline on the national stage. Quite the example. Pathetic
realistic dog fan
November 2nd, 2010
7:04 pm
Nellie Bly – My the names you concoct!!!!!!!! If you do not like things why do you not relocate????????? Many UGA grads are not pleased with recent action. You act as if fans can hire, fire, etc. GET REAL and stick with one blog name!!!!!!!!!