UGA lifts Ealey’s suspension (updated with comments from Richt)

(Updated 9 p.m. Saturday)

ATHENS — Washaun Ealey’s suspension lasted less than three weeks.

The Georgia tailback, suspended indefinitely from all team activities by coach Mark Richt on Feb. 8, has been “reinstated to full team standing,” UGA said Saturday.

That makes Ealey, Georgia’s leading rusher the past two seasons, eligible to participate in spring practice, which begins March 10.

“He’s done a very nice job of doing what I asked him to do,” Richt said Saturday night, “to take care of his business what I call the Georgia way, staying on top of things and being punctual and being prepared. . . . He’s done it with a very good attitude, and now I think he’s ready to integrate back in the rest of what’s going on at Georgia. I’m happy for him.”

Earlier Saturday, Richt said in a statement that Ealey will rejoin team activities Monday.

Ealey, a rising junior, was suspended after failing to report on time for an early-morning punishment run.

The incident was not Ealey’s first brush with trouble at Georgia. He was suspended from last season’s opening game because of an arrest for hit-and-run of a parked vehicle and driving with a suspended license.

“I didn’t think he was handling his responsibilities as well as he should,” Richt said Saturday night, referring to the Feb. 8 suspension. “When I felt like he was back on track, I was going to have him go back to doing what everybody else was doing.”

Ealey played in 12 games for Georgia last season, starting seven and rushing for 811 yards and 11 touchdowns.  He rushed for 717 yards  as a freshman in 2009, when he played in nine games.

His role could diminish with the arrival this summer of Carver-Columbus tailback Isaiah Crowell, a prized recruit who signed with Georgia this month. Richt said on signing day that he expects Crowell to play “heavily” as a freshman and possibly to get the first carry in the Sept. 3 opener against Boise State in the Georgia Dome.

– Staff writer Ken Sugiura contributed to this report.

534 comments Add your comment

Tsk,Tsk

February 26th, 2011
5:03 pm

GregHarryJim: Transparent, sport. Have another red Bull

DIT

February 26th, 2011
5:03 pm

@David – could be. We’ll see what happens. I personally think this will put a little sense of urgency into Ealey. If it does not then he is not much of a competitor.

Patrick Romano WAR DAMN EAGLE

February 26th, 2011
5:04 pm

Yes, Murray was “AWEOSME” in that bowl game loss against UCF-What did they score 6 pts…Really, Awesome-not that described Cam Newton’s season and good Lord willing his future in NFL, If they play this yr…

WAR DAMN EAGLE UGA program is in a tail spin!!!

David

February 26th, 2011
5:06 pm

I’m a seer and master of the universe. I’m a UGA insider. Just listen to me. All the coaches check with me before they make any decision. Same with the players.

David

February 26th, 2011
5:08 pm

Was AJ Green’s breaking NCAA rules or little weight gain ‘the Georgia way”? What a joke. Murray’s weight gain is a joke compared to Lemay, who’s only been in the program a few weeks. Murray loafs in the weight room, so did AJ, neither get disciplined.

All players are not “treated the same”.

dawggone

February 26th, 2011
5:08 pm

What a joke…three weeks? Where the respect Richt?

Smitty

February 26th, 2011
5:09 pm

David, great insight, I think you’re right on. Looks like the positive comments here, are all the same Florida fan, especially since he mentioned Murray continuing to start, no Georgia fan wants a 6-7, 0-6 against winning teams QB to keep his starting position.

Berzerk8dawg

February 26th, 2011
5:10 pm

sorry that your in the weight room all the time David. Murray does not need to gain any weight. The kid works hard as hell. Keep Judging lets wait til The dome and see how bad Murray is.

Yaz

February 26th, 2011
5:12 pm

A few comments about the UGAy-UCF game:

1. It was obvious that neither the UGAy goons or coaches were ready for the game. It was obvious that UCF was.

2. The whole team sucked.

3. How much longer will dawg fans put up with this kind of crap with Richt as coach? More importantly, how long will McGarity put up with it?

4. Some of the UGAy players, and a lot of the fans were crying after the game ended. This was a heartwarming sight for decent, intelligent people to see.

5. When the cameras zoomed in on some of the UGAy fans, it was very clear why most states have laws against incest. It was also clear why beer companies are so profitable.

6. How much stuff has A.J. Green sold already? How much is his stuff discounted when UGAy loses and he plays like crap?  :-)

7. How is Russ taking the loss? Oh, I see, he’s crapping all over everybody. Sorry about that, coach Richt. I’m sure those stains can be removed from your pants.

8. Aaron Murray demonstrated how devastating it was to lose Zach.

9. Good news for the seniors who played their last game for UGAy – you’ll never have to spend another night in the Athens jail. The lawyers and bail bondsmen of Athens salute you.

UGA, home of the red panties and The Cesspool of the South.

Saint Mark Lover

February 26th, 2011
5:14 pm

Three whole weeks in the offseason. I am soooooo impressed with Saint Mark.

kral

February 26th, 2011
5:14 pm

let see greg,either you are in UGA’s weightroom…or you have an inside source…or you snuck in a camera..did you also bring the towels and ice you were supposed to bring

UGAbugKiller

February 26th, 2011
5:15 pm

So, now we know that Smitty, David, and Greg are the same person.

I’m gonna go ahead and say he’s a Bug. A lonely, fat 27 year-old Bug who still lives with his parents and hasn’t every gotten laid.

Ray Goof

February 26th, 2011
5:15 pm

A thug returns to the lineup. What news that is.

BG

February 26th, 2011
5:16 pm

Dawg man, What cave do you live in? Name one coach in the SEC more strict than Richt??

DIT

February 26th, 2011
5:16 pm

Yaz – How is Hewitt doing over there at tech…. Oh yea another loss today.
No one really wants to read your juvenile posts. Sounds like it came from a 4th grader.
Please move on!

Dawghater

February 26th, 2011
5:18 pm

How do you spell “suspension” – E-A-L-E-Y

SEC = SAD

February 26th, 2011
5:22 pm

What a JOKE uga is! It’s not a punishment if the kid doesn’t miss anything… that’s why you will always be the joke of the SEC! HAHA

Real Estate

February 26th, 2011
5:23 pm

“UGA, home of the red panties and The Cesspool of the South”. That is a qualitative judgment by a dweeb. Here is a fact: GTECH is nestled snuggly in the middle of one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the entire country.

kral

February 26th, 2011
5:28 pm

I use to have a great deal of respect for a Yaz…not you played for the Bos. RS……your pt.1 do not now if you are right..amount of coaching..does not always equate to performance…pt.2 did not grade film…so his overall record bothers you??pt.3…pt.4 at a wonderful rest. in Jacksonville did not see,shows heart…pt.5 sounds as though you may have some hidden sexual problems or fantasies..pt. 6did not play like crap..to easy..pt. 7 has much as I love the UGA symbol I really do not think Russ knew the final score…pt.8 check his stat..I think we will b okay..pt.9 now your soundind real intelligent yourself

BG

February 26th, 2011
5:30 pm

Great news!! GO DAWGS!!!

UGA Haters????

February 26th, 2011
5:32 pm

Keep up the stupid comments….The more you post the better we look….GO DAWGS!!!!

Welcome

February 26th, 2011
5:33 pm

Ealey!! He has served his punishment. They made him run against GT’s defense everyday….He has been running non stop for the last couple of months!!!!

kral

February 26th, 2011
5:39 pm

I love that Welcome!!!

Calhoun Tree Killer

February 26th, 2011
5:46 pm

ROLL TIDE!!!!! This is ONE Tide fan HAPPY that Crowell committed to UGA and not BAMA. This kid totally choked against Calhoun – lost his composure.

As UGA is about to find out – Crowell was surrounded by great players – which made a him look a lot better than he actually is.

Crowell is soft and mentally – a real puss. Calhoun hit him in the mouth – and he quit on his team. The going got rough – and he folded.

kral

February 26th, 2011
5:51 pm

ooh claiming to a Ala..fan a tree-killer makes me think..conspiracy..or your a frigging idiot…makes the other part of your blog…never everything you said is null and void..

David's daddy

February 26th, 2011
5:52 pm

@ David…you are an idiot.

tide roll

February 26th, 2011
5:55 pm

That’s good. The guy’s a Baller. Now watch Richt and Bobo neutralize it all by starting Kolton Houston ahead of Bean Anderson. Do they really want to win ?! You have to wonder.

I'm just saying

February 26th, 2011
5:58 pm

Romedawg…the only honor that ugump football players are familiar with is “your honor”. As in “yes your honor I am guilty and I throw myself on the mercy of the court”.

kral

February 26th, 2011
6:01 pm

tide roll the charmin..could be the Northern…are maybe the one with wood-chips still in it..glad youare just wondering..do not step out to far you might fall-off you computer chair

kral

February 26th, 2011
6:02 pm

ijs..sounds as though you yourself have said before

UA

February 26th, 2011
6:03 pm

Boy you Hairy Dogs got some stiff man-like penalties for your thugs over there.

Nuthins Changed

February 26th, 2011
6:04 pm

Should have kicked his sorry rear end off the team. Richts Boys Home of the South is still up and running.

kral

February 26th, 2011
6:07 pm

yeh boyUA and kicked ooff a few too..course LSU took one//would not let one big de. recruit come…I think we are just the weakest link..only sighted a few…what is your life record…angel

kral

February 26th, 2011
6:08 pm

nutting means nuttin..sooo

A bunch of mediocre backs

February 26th, 2011
6:14 pm

Who cares? The “I can’t spell my name” club at running back for Ugay has always been the best example ever of the worthless hype of the star system. I remember hearing Richard Samuel was going to be the next Herschill……where’s he again?

Yet again, the Ugay running game will be mediocre. And putting Joe Tereshankme in the weight room ain’t gonna change much. Except there will be different steps to run as “discipline.”
Even in the pathetic SEC LEast, the Inbred Mutts won’t do a damned thing. Again.
And you don’t even have a real coach at Florida anymore!

I Could Have Put Some Lame Name Here

February 26th, 2011
6:14 pm

He didn’t miss it he was late!

My Dad can whoop your dad

February 26th, 2011
6:17 pm

Maybe we should just kick all the black guys off the team. Think that would make everyone happy? Then I guess they would have to resort to calling all the drunk Frat boys and Sorority chicks thugs? Or would they then be simply misguided college kids having fun.

roughrider

February 26th, 2011
6:18 pm

Talk smack after you have won as many games as CMR.

Welcome Wagon

February 26th, 2011
6:18 pm

I’m glad Ealey is back He’s a good running back. If he is as productive in the next two years as he was in his first two years, he will leave UGA as the number 3 running back in career rushing. Only Herschel and Garrison Hearst would be ahead of Ealey. That’s pretty good company.

Russ

February 26th, 2011
6:19 pm

kral

February 26th, 2011
6:23 pm

I do not like conversing with one and done’s..that maybe all they ever become is one-and-done…but the u-gay has beeeeeennn and impressive insult for quite awhile..it shows..ingenuity..techonology,, creativity..homophobia…immatturity…and gosh,,,you could analyle it alot more, but you would have to pay me by the hour to go on…

kral

February 26th, 2011
6:26 pm

could be deep-seated problems with a parent..Mom..Dad…it all depends on what they preferred to wear you UYgayers perseverers

Tech 54

February 26th, 2011
6:28 pm

Sadly, Tom is probably a Tech fan. Note I did not say “A Tech Man”. I am afraid Tom is like a typical liberal. Say anything, back up nothing. I am happy for Ealey as a young man and hope a lesson has been learned. I am not happy we will have to play against him again, or you Dogs for that matter.

kral

February 26th, 2011
6:29 pm

the bigger the insult…the lesser the person really knows..go low…crap will stick somewhere…usually on your face

kral

February 26th, 2011
6:31 pm

that get’s respect 54

kral

February 26th, 2011
6:32 pm

i know know ‘

Wardameagle

February 26th, 2011
6:35 pm

The only reason he is back is because the Clarke Co. jail is full

Burt

February 26th, 2011
6:35 pm

Richt re-instates Ealey, surprise, no choice there. The question is:

Will Ealey re-instate Richt? Gray & Mettenberger didn’t, don’t think Ealey will either. I expect Ealey will transfer soon, to be rewarded with working hard and big weight gains in the weight room, with punishment runs, when guys like AJ Green, Durham, and Murray slide by without results, it’s pure favortism, and Richt will likely pay the price of Ealey following stars like Mettenberger & Gray to seek a more fair head coach.

Richt’s losing respect. Exepct Ealey to transfer. Richt will not be re-instated by Ealey.

Boys Town

February 26th, 2011
6:39 pm

Great job, Father Flanagan/Coach Richt

kral

February 26th, 2011
6:40 pm

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