UPDATED: Georgia NG Kwame Geathers, SS Shawn Williams, Vandy player get half-game suspensions
Geathers
As expected, Georgia’s Kwame Geathers and Shawn Williams were handed down half-game suspensions Wednesday for their actions during last Saturday’s game against Vanderbilt. Commodores center Logan Stewart was also levied a half-game suspension in the wake of the Bulldogs’ 33-28 win this past Saturday in Nashville.
The suspensions of the players were based on NCAA rules and handed down by Southeastern Conference Commissioner Mike Slive in consultation with the respective schools.
Williams
“I did have the opportunity to speak to the Commissioner and discuss the incident,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said. “It’s certainly not representative of the Georgia way. I have always trusted the Commissioner’s judgment and understand and accept the decision. We’ll learn as well as grow from this situation and now turn our attention to preparing for Florida.”
Following is the news release from the SEC, which explains its ruling in each instance:
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Upon review of game tapes of the football game between the University of Georgia and Vanderbilt University, played in Nashville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011, Southeastern Conference Commissioner Mike Slive has announced that Vanderbilt sophomore center Logan Stewart, Georgia sophomore defensive lineman Kwame Geathers and Georgia junior defensive back Shawn Williams have been suspended for the first half of their team’s next football games.
Vanderbilt hosts Army this Saturday while Georgia plays Florida in Jacksonville on Oct. 29.
Geathers’ action was in violation of NCAA Football Rule 2-32-1-a for fighting. By NCAA Football Rule 9-5-1-b, the penalty for violation of the rule in the second half includes suspension for the first half of the team’s next scheduled game.
On the same play, Stewart’s suspension is the result of a flagrant personal foul which occurred at the 13:09 mark in the fourth quarter. The action is in violation of Rule 9-1 of the NCAA Football Rule Book, which states that a flagrant personal foul offender shall be disqualified.
Williams’ suspension is the result of a flagrant personal foul which occurred at the 2:08 mark in the third quarter. The action is in violation of Rule 9-1-4 of the NCAA Football Rule Book, which reads, “No player shall target and initiate contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless opponent with the helmet, forearm, elbow or shoulder.”
This action is taken in accordance with Southeastern Conference Constitution, Article 4.4.2 (d), which states that a student-athlete may be suspended if it is determined that the student-athlete has committed a flagrant or unsportsmanlike act.
Geathers, a redshirt sophomore from Georgetown, S.C., has started three games at noseguard for the Bulldogs and alternates regularly with junior John Jenkins. He has seven tackles, a pass break-up and a quarterback pressure.
Williams, a junior from Damascus, has started every game this season, including one at inside linebacker. He is the Bulldogs’ third-leading tackler with 34 and has two interceptions, including one against Vanderbilt this past weekend.
Saturday’s game, clinched by Georgia in the final seconds, was extremely emotional. The night ended with Franklin and Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham a shouting match at midfield. The SEC asked for reports from both schools but about that incident but indicated Wednesday that the is being “handled internally between league office and schools,” spokesman Charles Bloom said.
Here’s video of the hit that resulted in Williams’ suspension:
MORE STORIES ON THIS SUBJECT:
- Geathers’ father upset over suspension, wants apology
- UGA, SEC reviewing coaches’ postgame confrontation
– Chip Towers
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530 comments Add your comment
01HAWK
October 19th, 2011
6:33 pm
Coop Dawg……………………….Maybe more than 1 game if it is drug related per the story.
LSU has reached the top spot in the BCS rankings despite becoming Team Turmoil for the 2011 season.
* An offensive coordinator diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease
* A bar brawl before the season
* Two players — including the starting quarterback — arrested due to the brawl
* NCAA probation handed down
* More NCAA questions asked about street-agent Willie Lyles
And now — if LSU’s student newspaper has got the story right – two key starters suspended for failing drug tests.
The Daily Reveille reported this afternoon that bruising tailback Spencer Ware and star cornerback Tyrann Mathieu will be suspended for Saturday’s game with Auburn “after reportedly failing a drug test” according to a source.
LSU officials neither confirmed nor denied the report.
According to the paper, “The suspensions could turn into multiple-game suspensions as well.”
CoopDawg
October 19th, 2011
6:37 pm
01HAWK they just said one game on CSS so I was going by that and they also said they would definately be back for the Alabama game.
Ray Goff
October 19th, 2011
6:38 pm
Which SEC team located in Athens is consistently in the top ten or number one in the NCAA with personal foul penalties?
Runnin With The Dawgs
October 19th, 2011
6:40 pm
What’s the big deal? The players had a little scrap and the coaches had a few words. I’ve been to a lot of football games and I’ve seen a lot of this kind of stuff, and after it’s over everybody goes on. This is being blown way out of proportion.
Bill
October 19th, 2011
6:56 pm
Why does Slive let SC DE Clowney get away with grabing our QB in the back of his shirt sling him around that is a penality, that is a horse collar
Cliff Klaven
October 19th, 2011
6:59 pm
UGA is such a classless program!!!
Black Mountain NC Bulldog
October 19th, 2011
7:05 pm
OK we all knew what the biased Slive would do.
Thank our Lucky stars we get Tree, Mitchell, and Washington back, for UF.
If we don’t beat them this year. Will we ever, again?
Pray for cool weather Jon Jenkins.
Hurt Kurbstreit
October 19th, 2011
7:10 pm
421st. That ruling by the comish is total BS. The Vandy player deserved a suspension for an intentional clip. Richt should have stood up for his players, at least for Gathers, who was doing what anyone would do.
Is Ogletree going to be back for the FL game?
gordon
October 19th, 2011
7:11 pm
Watching holier than thou UGA fans – absolutely priceless. And, Grantham should have been suspended. His actions nearly inspired a riot. What a clown.
kingster
October 19th, 2011
7:11 pm
Wow, you UGA fans cry about everything, but believe me things will change and get worst in the long run, try, please try to be honest with your selfs(lol) and Tech Fan, I’m surprise at you, what classes did you take, the Vandy kid was suspended for half the game also, learn to read before you back UGA, you sound like one of those R-necks.
The Ole Ball Coach
October 19th, 2011
7:15 pm
Silve is unbalanced NOT FAIR TO EVERYONE in his decisions ….. Why was Newton, Fairley, and Spikes not suspended?
Why are the refs allowed to make unjust decisions weekly, Muschamp mouth? Alabama allows their players to sale suits – No issue but don’t sale your own jersey ask AJ…… Tennessee allows its players to knock out cops but don’t defend yourself when the ref want in a game……. SEC has no leadership that will be fair and just. $$$$$$$$$$$$ rules Silve just pay him off.
Dave
October 19th, 2011
7:17 pm
Maybe its the culmination of the 12 off season arrests, at which UGA leads the nation
Stay classy UGA! Ready for the annual loss to UF? One great stat to remember, Auburn has beaten the Evil Genius more in 12 months+ (3 times) that UGA has in 20 years!!!!
Where the heck is Hershal?????
mountaindawg
October 19th, 2011
7:18 pm
my wife saw the “sack schultz” and said, i quote, WHAT YOU SHOULD DO IS PUT A SACK ON HIS FACE. HE IS UGLY”
Classless in Athens
October 19th, 2011
7:19 pm
Three Georgia schools are among the best 400 universities in the world, according to a new ranking released Wednesday.
Georgia Tech, ranked no. 84, is the leading school in Georgia, ahead of Emory at 114 and the University of Georgia at 385, according to the rankings compiled by U.S. News and World Report.
NOW WE KNOW WHY UGA is ranked at 385. CLASSLESS!!!!!!
Miss Bee
October 19th, 2011
7:24 pm
The problem is that you UGA FANS are worried about the WRONG THING. You should be worried about:
Three Georgia schools are among the best 400 universities in the world!
Georgia Tech, ranked no. 84, is the leading school in Georgia, ahead of Emory at 114 and the University of Georgia at 385, according to the rankings compiled by U.S. News and World Report.
KB
October 19th, 2011
7:26 pm
@Classless, Only on school in Georgia has been on Ncaa probation twice in the past 6 years.
Negative uga haters
October 19th, 2011
7:26 pm
Warcraft and porn are getting boring. Think I will go on the ajc blog site and trash uga. I am really a closet fan which Is why I love to comment on their articles.
Joey
October 19th, 2011
7:29 pm
AJC:
Yessssssss!!
We did it!!
KB
October 19th, 2011
7:29 pm
Dave, Your an idiot name the arrests, perhaps your thinking about Auburn. and to show your stupidity further Spurrier is 3-4 vs UGA while at South Carolina. What rock do you live under?
Chinny
October 19th, 2011
7:35 pm
I agree with the NCAA…Nick Fairly did the same things last year and was suspended for the next game….oh wait….nevermind.
icedawg
October 19th, 2011
7:35 pm
Way too much micromanaging by sports writers and bloggers.
Dawg
October 19th, 2011
7:40 pm
Georgia should move to the Big East. That would show that motherf@#$&%@ Slive that he can go f&$% himself. Georgia would play in the national championship every 3 or 4 years if they moved to the big east.
Chris
October 19th, 2011
7:44 pm
such BS like serioously like guy took a late cheap shot on a 350 pound man! it could have ended his career or season. And williams will be missed badly but kwame not as much because of the depth at dt with jenkins. But thats bs it suckscuz both guys were playing so wll
Jordan
October 19th, 2011
7:45 pm
http://isportsweb.com/2011/10/19/geathers-and-williams-out/
Amazing
October 19th, 2011
7:50 pm
It is amazing to me how UGA fans want to jump and scream like little kids when a player from another team plays dirty (Fairley from last year…Vandy player from last week’s game), but have nothing to say when it’s a UGA player doing the same thing. Ben Jones played dirty last year in the Miss St game….a UGA defensive lineman chopped a UT defensive lineman in last year’s game(the UT player was hurt on the play), Rambo cheap-shotted Da’Rick Rogers this year in the Tenn game…
Why is that? You are either ok with dirty play, or you aren’t. It shouldn’t matter what jersey you wear.
The Lyam Hound
October 19th, 2011
8:01 pm
Very good column Jordan.
LutzFLdawg
October 19th, 2011
8:08 pm
BS!
bulldawgbill
October 19th, 2011
8:10 pm
IF UGA OR VANDY WERE REALLY GOOD TEAMS AND EXPECTED TO PLAY IN THE SEC TITLE GAME OR A BIG BOWL GAME, THERE WOULD BE NO PENALTIES — SEE OHIO STATE, AUBURN, ALABAMA, AND FLORIDA IN THE PAST FEW YEARS.
THE NCAA AND THE SEC ARE ONLY INTERESTED IN THE MONEY AND ANSWER ONLY TO THE TV PEOPLE.
I AM BEGINING TO LOSE INTEREST IN COLLEGE SPORTS. AT LEAST THE PROS ARE HONEST IN WHAT THEY SELL.
ugab
October 19th, 2011
8:16 pm
I can understand why Geathers threw a punch. That clip could have cost Geathers his career. A smart team would have laid on the ground and faked an injury, giving Vandy the penalty. What does MR’s team do? MR should have done something to get these players heads back in the game. MR just sits there like a knot on a log. We needed these two players for the Fl game. MR needs to get these kids under control. Grantham has to lead by example. Grantham should have got suspended also.
Paul
October 19th, 2011
8:18 pm
You have to realize if the incident at the end of game and the media running it all in the ground, forced the SEC to make a decision. If he incident after the game did not happen the players would not have been punished further. All the media fuss forced the commissioner’s hand and no he did not do anything about Franklin and Grantham…..Kind of like punishing the little guys in life and not the top dawgs…….Way to go media….Now find something else to complain about for UGA.
Hit A Single
October 19th, 2011
8:23 pm
I watch all this other crap from other games and you hear nothing. Like when Garcia scores a TD against UGA and flips the ball at UGA player in the endzone. Just one example! Mike Slive is nothing but a puppett for a few. Kind of like the NCAA. Now maybe the media will end all this coverage of an event that got way too much coverage.
The Lyam Hound
October 19th, 2011
8:40 pm
So here’s what I’ve seen so far.
Wait… I should first mention that I probably wouldn’t have thought twice about the Vandy vs.Georgia game but for the heroic(?) actions of one Coach Todd Grantham after the contest had already ended.
Okay… Now back to the game. This outing wouldn’t have gone down as a particularly dirty SEC game. There were maybe a few personal foul calls. That typically happens in a game. Now that attention has been brought to the way the game ended, some are claiming that it was an extraordinarily dirty game, with the Vandy team committing chop blocks on a regular basis throughout the contest.
Well folks, I watched the replay on CSS today. I didn’t see any chop blocks and I didn’t see an unusual amount of cut blocking on the line either.
“So how about the youtube clips?”, you ask. Yes. I’ve seen those also. The block that triggered the punch from the Georgia player was close to being a clip. Perhaps it actually was. It appears as if the Vandy player got his head and shoulders in front of the Georgia player’s legs, but he was coming at an angle from behind. It’s certainly a close call. I wouldn’t consider that a block worthy of being called “dirty”, even if it was an illegal block. I don’t think this block would have triggered an SEC suspension, had it not been followed by the punch.
The other questionable block is less dubious. The Georgia player speared the Vandy player from behind. That was a dirty hit. It was clearly an intentional foul. There have been reports that this same player had, on multiple occasions, grabbed his crotch and made lewd exclamations toward the Vandy bench during the game, but I have seen no youtube video evidence of that happening. From reading reports of the incident, this is the same guy who was harassing Coach Franklin after the game.
If any particular football play (punching is not recognized as a “football” play) in that game brought the SEC into the picture, it was Georgia’s spear block from behind on the Vandy player. Still, I’m not sure there would have been a suspension handed down for that hit – had Coach Grantham not had to be restrained from engaging in physical violence in front of a national television audience after the game was already over.
doctor
October 19th, 2011
8:42 pm
GODAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!
RNB
October 19th, 2011
8:59 pm
Reprimand Muschump for what he is going to do in the UGA game. Wait he’s not the coach at UGA.
bucket
October 19th, 2011
9:00 pm
@ Lyam Hound – you need to take your “UGA hater’s” glasses off and rewatch the LATE hit on a defenseless player by the Vandy center. The Vandy QB was already out of bounds and Geathers had slowed up because the QB was running out of bounds and the only player who doesn’t slow up is the Vandy center who made an intentional hit to the knee of a defenseless player. What a crock!
CHDawg
October 19th, 2011
9:03 pm
OK, let me get this straight: two adults who are paid millions to coach, the head coach for Vandy and the Def Coord for UGA meet at the middle of the field. Franklin starts yelling, pointing and accusing, and starts a heated altercation that almost turns into a nasty brawl. He turned a calm Grantham into a profane basket case in five seconds. He must have been very nasty and caustic in his attacks. And nothing happens to the two adults–particularly to the guy who started the fight–Vandy’s head coach? This is the pinnacle of double standards. Punish the coaches Mr. Slive, particularly Franklin! Williams’ cheap shot wasn’t even flagged by the ref who was standing right on top of the play, btw. That tells us what we already knew–this stuff happens every single week in every game. But, Franklin picks a fight and they punish Georgia for it? Fairley used to do worse several times a game and he never got suspended. I wish they *would* start applying discipline uniformly, but they have to do it to every team, not just Georgia. I also wish they would start flagging trash talking and profanity from coaches. It is getting out of hand. Coaches get away with murder and the players get slammed. What would Slive do to a player who was yelling profanities at a ref? You just have to be a coach making millions to get away with it.
Dawgscrews
October 19th, 2011
9:05 pm
where can i view the hit on Geathers, anyone know ?
Muffican Jam
October 19th, 2011
9:07 pm
Why not show you really mean it CMR and suspend them for the second half of the next game? Sitting out the first half is silly. UGa continues to fall off the football map. What a joke of a program and some insane followers.
The Lyam Hound
October 19th, 2011
9:09 pm
“Franklin starts yelling, pointing and accusing”
That’s not accurate.
Jeff and the Camaros
October 19th, 2011
9:10 pm
Dirty hit, very dirty hit
The Lyam Hound
October 19th, 2011
9:12 pm
@bucket
What makes you think that I hate UGA? I don’t. I Don’t hate Vandy either.
I just thought you guys might like to know what this looks like from outside the bubble.
CHDawg
October 19th, 2011
9:16 pm
Lyam, that is perfectly accurate. Look at the tape.
CHDawg
October 19th, 2011
9:18 pm
Franklin started the fight and he gets off completely. Watch the tape. Grantham is as calm as a cucumber until Franklin begins the attack.
The Lyam Hound
October 19th, 2011
9:21 pm
@CHDawg
Officials miss calls sometimes. Just because a foul play isn’t flagged, doesn’t mean it’s not a foul play.
Believe it or not, the SEC officials aren’t sitting in a basement under the home office in Birmingham controlling the actions of the referees on the field with little joysticks.
I understand that some of the posters on this blog will find that hard to swallow, but it’s true.
The Lyam Hound
October 19th, 2011
9:24 pm
As I stated in what I thought was a comprehensive review of my observation of this story, I have watched all of the video clips very carefully.
Mudcatjoe
October 19th, 2011
9:25 pm
Oh no!!! 1/2 game suspension!! There’s that UGA favoritism again. The penalty could of only been lighter if that wuss Richt had been in charge!
bardawg
October 19th, 2011
9:26 pm
Don Leebern & some of the other UGA Alums/ backers of the program evidently need too get in lock-step with some of the other SEC Universities backers. You guys evidently ain’t putting enough grease in Mike Slime’s hands to get the favorable rulings .(I.E.) Bobby Louder greasing the correct palms that the criminal Fairly not dare be penalized for his minor indiscretions for blatantly spearing Aaron Murray in the back.Hey, no harm ,no foul if you’ve either been paid enough ! The UGA Nation ,because of the penalty handed down by Slime should call for,no demand Slime’s resignation
The Lyam Hound
October 19th, 2011
9:28 pm
I even watched the replay today, although I had seen most of the game (including the ending) while it was being played.
I’m not a Vandy or Georgia fan, but I like both schools. I have friends and family who have attended both schools. That’s why I was watching the game to begin with. I’m sorry that this happened – for both schools, and for the SEC.
CHDawg
October 19th, 2011
9:35 pm
Lyam,
that isn’t the point. Of course, calls will be missed, but the SEC has had a terrible problem with inconsistent calls, and the front office has a terrible problem with inconsistent discipline. I see spearing in almost every game, but they don’t call it, and the SEC doesn’t suspend anyone. I see players trash talking and showing terrible sportsmanship, and coaches screaming profanities at the refs, and the SEC does nothing. I’m fine with the suspensions, but they should have suspended Franklin and Grantham, and they need to start suspending other teams who commit these fouls. It happens on every team.
Old dog
October 19th, 2011
9:40 pm
Why has nothing been said about a pattern of unsportsmanlike play being promoted by Vanderbilt’s coaching staff? In spite of Coach Franklin’s righteous indignation, he needs to be called out for his player’s dirty play.
Shame on Vandy!