Kwame Geathers’ father upset over his son’s half-game suspension
Robert Geathers Sr., the father of Georgia sophomore noseguard Kwame Geathers, is upset that his son was assessed a two-quarter suspension in the Florida game after being the victim of what he thought was a dangerous, defenseless hit in the Vanderbilt game this past weekend.
“I’ve played football and been around football all my life,” said Robert Geathers Sr., who played in the NFL for 13 seasons has has two other sons playing professionally, “and if you watch it you see this kid speed up while everybody else is slowing down and he’s locked in on my son’s leg. If you look closely you can see the guy give a thumbs up to the sideline and the coach telling him ‘good job.’ I was, like, ‘Wow!’ I could be sitting here today telling you how my son’s surgery went.”
Mr. Geathers is referring to Vanderbilt sophomore center Logan Stewart, who was flagged for clipping on the play. Kwame Geathers was called for a personal foul after he turned around and punched Stewart in the side while both players remained on the ground. You can GO HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO.
Both players were assessed half-game suspensions by the SEC on Wednesday afternoon. Georgia strong safety Shawn Williams was also levied a half-game suspension for an illegal hit he made in the game.
Mr. Geathers was incredulous that his son is being disciplined at all.
“They fine you for hits like that in the NFL and they’re fining Kwame two quarters out of a game?,” he said. “Kwame didn’t do anything wrong. He’s just reacting. I’m a parent who’s really upset. I could’ve gotten a call telling me that my son’s career is over.”
Mr. Geathers said Vanderbilt “needs to call Georgia and apologize for that kid. I think a good coach would do that. I’m not sure if we’ll get anything out of this but somebody needs to make an example of it and it doesn’t need to be Kwame.”
Vanderbilt coach James Franklin and Georgia coach Mark Richt, participating in the weekly SEC teleconference call on Wednesday, declined to comment on any of the events that took place during or after Georgia’s 33-28 win.
– Chip Towers
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359 comments Add your comment
doug dawg
October 19th, 2011
1:56 pm
gtbob. yes, in your idealized world this would be the correct reaction. i wonder if your wonderful gt team and its so-cultured coach would agree with you. bull sh-t. your team and your coach are dirtier than anyone can match. you are the ultimate gt hypocrite. i hope you have a coach, certainly not groh, who will stand up for his players. your head coach only puts them down, and takes no responsibility for anything. you want dirty, just look at your own team. cut blocks and all. oh, give it a rest.
Herman Came
October 19th, 2011
1:57 pm
Blah…blah…blah. The 900lb gorilla in the room is that Vanderbilt almost “upset” UGA. UGA has beaten 5 horrible teams, and is completely irrelevant in the world of college football. UGA will not “run the table” and back into the SECCG, Shreveport will once again be your destination.
Dawg09'
October 19th, 2011
1:57 pm
This is absolute BS that our players are suspended. This happend every week in college football. Why wasn’t Fairley suspended last year for cheap shotting Aaron Murray? Absolute BS.
sogadog
October 19th, 2011
1:59 pm
I agree with Mr. Geathers 100%. I hope he encourages UGA to appeal the suspension and raise some cain in support of his son.
doug dawg
October 19th, 2011
1:59 pm
and, techies, if you want to see dirty, just see what goes on in november. frankly, i guess, sadly, dirty play wins and does not draw penalties from anyone. the officials will be against uga like they always are. so. …… dirty is as dirty does.
Dawg09'
October 19th, 2011
2:02 pm
I bet Franklin voted for Obama.
Bob LaBlah
October 19th, 2011
2:02 pm
Ginger – I’ll bet dip spit is going everywhere on your keyboard.
G-Dawg
October 19th, 2011
2:03 pm
all you dang trolls, JUST DONT GET IT!!!
DAWGtired
October 19th, 2011
2:03 pm
Doug-
You should read T.Brown’s comments yesterday about Richt(on Chips last story yesterday around pg9 or 10), b/c they are spot on. I think Richt is a good headcoach, and a great analyst when it comes to QBs and scheme approach (for HIS system). However, he has never accepted the responsibility in any game or any season for the short-comings of the team. It’s always, “they could have executed better” or “if they had caught that pass” or “If it weren’t for that momentum swing after…” over and over and over. He’s blamed the coaches he’s hired, the players he recruited and every other factor except his ability to prepare the team and his play-calling decisions in close games. That is not integrity, so be careful about calling out CPJ. We have a much larger plank in our eye.
Derrick
October 19th, 2011
2:05 pm
You are confusing Robert Geathers Sr. with his brother, Jumpy Geathers. Robert Sr. was drafted by Buffalo in 1981 but was cut. His brother played 13 years in the league.
bucket
October 19th, 2011
2:06 pm
@ Herman Came – actually your post only proves just how relevant we are to your existence! Thanks for making us feel relevant to our rivals! I don’t feel compelled to comment if it doesn’t matter to me.
Footballrules
October 19th, 2011
2:08 pm
Doug…we saw what went on in Nov. of 2009, long after the play was over and Josh’s ankle getting twisted. Wanna talk about dirty play.
G-Dawg
October 19th, 2011
2:08 pm
SEC didnt make Spikes sit out half a qtr for eye gouging Ealey his freshman year!! Meyer forced it!! I see punches thrown in about every single NCCAA game, for one reason or another. But nobody comes on here complaining about it, unless its UGA football. NCAA/SEC committees and Mike Slive are are joke to college football!! somethings are left better settled on the field, not behind some big wig’s desk!!
JC
October 19th, 2011
2:08 pm
First of all hits like that take place every week in every game. Sometimes out in the open,sometimes in positions where it may not be seen as well. That does not make it right, however punching or swinging at a player is not right as well. I remember a few years ago when an Auburn offensive lineman purposly blocked LSU’s Glen Dorsey at is knees. Dorsey did not miss a game thankfully however he was hampered for the next 3 or 4 games until he was able to get back to full speed. That kids did not serve a suspension by the conference or Auburn. But to say that UGA gets a bad rap is over the top also to say that Franklin is “Whatever he was called” is dumb as well. He is no more classless that Richt. Remember the Florida game when the entire team ran to the endzone to celebrate a TD. I know that it is a rivalry but the principles of sportsmanship should be the same. Then with the UGA players running over to talk smack after the game, is normal in sports to a degree but again you have to wonder if Richt is even pushing the sportsmanship thing at all. I think both coaches are class guys, but Franklin is obviously trying to change the mindset of his players and the program overall.
Louie White
October 19th, 2011
2:08 pm
As a LSU fan, I really have nothing in the way of bias for either team. But after seeing the video a few times, I am disturbed that the SEC would give both players the same penalty when one play instigated the action that could have been a career ending hit.
bucket
October 19th, 2011
2:09 pm
Apparently Williams is out against Florida, too.
Bob LaBlah
October 19th, 2011
2:09 pm
Dawg ‘85 – I thought if I put tne “b” in, they wouldn’t print it. I have two words to describe you: Mo Ron.
gdawginkalamazoo
October 19th, 2011
2:10 pm
Matthews dawg, emotion is sitting there watching us run the ball 2 & 57 in the UTwith out cussing. Really 2 & 57? I have never in my close to 4 decades of watching football ever seen a 2 & 57. Sure Richt won a ton at UGA early on. I have been a supporter of Richt this season as well as the past three. The man knows how to win. However the crap I have witness during the games mentioned above has just been unbearable. Unbearable. We are batting 50% in the redzone. You want to win an NC at UGA. Somebody is not doing there job with the talent they have on hand.
What is your excuse for the coaching staff? Why aren’t we putting the games away. No talent on the field? The other team is better? Better athletes on the other side? Better coaching? Better adjustments during the game? They want it more?
I am not trying to argue with you but do you think we should be scrapping it out with Vandy? Ole Miss? MSU? a down UT? How about our special teams play? Impressive?
Johnny O.
October 19th, 2011
2:10 pm
Has anyone noticed that Slive rhymes with SLIME?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bucket
October 19th, 2011
2:11 pm
@ JC – I am sick and tired of hearing UGA ran into the endzone in 2007. That was 4 years ago and UGA has apologized and has been penalized enough for that stupid dance. That should have no relevance to this discussion at all.
Kam Fong as Chen Ho
October 19th, 2011
2:13 pm
Vandy? VANDY? UGA has sunk to new lows.
RTD
October 19th, 2011
2:13 pm
Where was Mr Slives’ punishment for Nick Fairley (sp?) when he is poking people in the eyes and the like?
gdawginkalamazoo
October 19th, 2011
2:14 pm
I was really disappointed in the Richt’s “that’s what I thought happen” response to that liar Franklin.
He should have said “I will look into it”.
AFDawg
October 19th, 2011
2:15 pm
Flood Slive’s office with mail and phone calls.
DAWGtired
October 19th, 2011
2:17 pm
Johnny O.-
Slive most certainly does not rhyme with slime. That is called consonance. If it began with a vowel, it would be alliterative.
Right on Mr. Geathers
October 19th, 2011
2:18 pm
That’s your flesh and blood out there. I’d do the same.
GTBob
October 19th, 2011
2:19 pm
you are the ultimate gt hypocrite.
Nope. If a player on my team punches somebody I fully expect them to get suspended. I also never said what Kwame did was dirty, he just can’t react like that and expect to not be penalized and suspended. He needs a little more self control.
AFDawg
October 19th, 2011
2:20 pm
JC, You’re an idiot. Dancing in the end zone is about as far away from trying to deliberately injure another player as one can get.
AFDawg
October 19th, 2011
2:21 pm
GTBob, Your nerdness is showing.
DAWGtired
October 19th, 2011
2:22 pm
GTBob-
Spot on. The entire staff could use a little more self-control. The only person on the coaching staff who seems to has that down is Richt, but he frequently looks like he is catatonic. It trickles down when you have a coaching staff that can conduct itself with poise and discipline. Look at Saban. He knows exactly when, where, and what time to lose control. People love him for that, he doesnt look like a loose cannon like Muschamp and Grantham did on Saturday.
AFDawg
October 19th, 2011
2:23 pm
Herman Came, Who do you pull for?
ole dawg
October 19th, 2011
2:28 pm
sorry SEC smell of politico non equal punishment-you are from DC.
remember this next year no more nice guy=score as much as possible then walk straight off the field
GBR
October 19th, 2011
2:29 pm
Coach Franklin is a loose cannon, and his actions caused the incident after the game. It’s interesting that the initial story was that Franklin was yelling at UGA’s Williams and Grantham intervened. Now Franklin’s story is that he was trying to find Richt to complain about
UGA’s behavior, and could not find him so instead he approached Grantham. This guy has a chip on his shoulder and is trying to motivate his players and impress recruits. You can bet this is the first of many controversies that will involve coach Franklin.
AJC = Mayfield Dairy
October 19th, 2011
2:30 pm
The AJC whines and sensationalizes a non-story until the conferences’ hand is forced due to the unwanted negative media attention.
RG
October 19th, 2011
2:32 pm
I’ve had a special place for Auburn in my toilet since they cheap-shotted LSU’s Glenn Dorsey in 2003. Same story here. Move Vandy to the Big 12 or Conference USA or So-Con.
JC
October 19th, 2011
2:33 pm
@ AFDawg & @ Bucket if you read my post correctly you would see that I clearly stated that they are two very different things, however I was referencing that statement made by someone calling Franklin out. True you can’t compare the foolish act of celebrating in the endzone to what could have been a career ending injury. I did not mean to say that, however what I am saying is that things like this happens several times in every game at every level, however when you see stuff like this happen involving the players of one coach it makes you wonder if he is telling his kids about being hardnosed yet showing good sportsmanship. I still think tht throwing a punch was wrong and he should be punished, however the kid or kids from Vany should have received a more harsh penalty that the UGA kid.
Chip Towers
October 19th, 2011
2:33 pm
Dawg ‘85: I used the term “forthcoming” because we knew it was going to happen. “Punch” is a technical term used in the NCAA rule book to define that particular infraction. So this was no hype, just facts.
ole dawg
October 19th, 2011
2:35 pm
anyone have Slive contact info=got a few things to explain to him
Snoop Dawg
October 19th, 2011
2:36 pm
Don’t fall for it, folks. Don’t bite! This is a diversion.
The real issue remains. This incident is just another symptom of a football program out of control because of an incompetent head coach…
Fire Richt.
Snoop Dawg
October 19th, 2011
2:38 pm
Franklin seems to be taking a page out of Lane Kiffin’s play book…
ARdawg
October 19th, 2011
2:38 pm
An obvious attempt by the SEC office to deflect and cover the ineptness of the SEC officials in the game. IF they had done their job it wouldn’t have been an issue later. Good Going Slive! Punishing the victim again
Gatortime
October 19th, 2011
2:40 pm
I guess this will be the excuse now when we whip the dogs “again” and yet all the dog fans are the ones who harp about bring back the JUNKYARD Dawg crap- dirty shot yes- uncalled for yes- get over and get ready to get your annual Jacksonville beatdown!
LHarding Dawg
October 19th, 2011
2:44 pm
Hey Gatortime, are you going to the game?
gacowboy
October 19th, 2011
2:46 pm
Franklin seems to have Mike Slive in his pocket. If play like this continues at Vandy,UGA will not be the only school taking swings at them. Saban, Miles, Muschamp and Spurrier will definitely not put up with that crap. I wish CMR had talked with his DC and viewed tape before offering Franklin an apology. Keep that up and Franklin and Slive will be run out of the SEC. Now lets play football!
AU Tigress
October 19th, 2011
2:47 pm
Most of you sound like 1st graders with your “He started it” and “I only did it because he did it first” arguements. Two wrongs don’t make a right. Take some responsibility!
gdawginkalamazoo
October 19th, 2011
2:49 pm
GBR, there is footage of Richt walking right in front of Franklin after the game. Franklin is an idiot.
Anyhoo, we complain about this for two weeks to divert any attention away from the Florida game. If we continue to be inept on the offensive side of the ball then we can chalk up another loss.
gacowboy
October 19th, 2011
2:50 pm
By the way, these men can take a breather for half a game and we will still take the gators out! The Dawgs have enough to get that job done! They definitely aint BAMA or LSU after all!
JDawg1785
October 19th, 2011
2:54 pm
I agree with you on this one, Mr. Geathers! At least when Ben Jones pulled something similar on MS State last year, he wrote a letter of apology to the player and the school. Something tells me Kwame won’t be seeing anything like that from this kid or his coach at Vandy.
JRW7
October 19th, 2011
2:54 pm
Mikw Slive is a sleasy commissoner, the SEC could do better than this!
just sayin'
October 19th, 2011
2:54 pm
i’ve been a richt supporter throughout the last couple of years…my support is beginning to wane…if he actually called one of his players a dumba** to another coach without knowing the whole story, i’m afraid i’m going to start leaning the other way on him…