UGA not only football program dealing with domestic violence issues
ATHENS – I was traveling yesterday when UGA announced it had decided on a two-game suspension for starting cornerback Sanders Commings at the start of next season.
Even though Georgia coach Mark Richt has avoided commenting on the subject so far, a spokesman told me Richt decided on the two games Wednesday after a series of meetings with Commings and conducting his own investigation into the matter. Commings, 21, was arrested by UGA police on Jan. 21 and charged with domestic violence/simple battery for allegedly hitting his former girlfriend.
Commings is scheduled for a March 22 arraignment before an Athens-Clarke County judge, so his legal case remains unresolved. Meanwhile, the incident is also being investigated by UGA as a possible violation of student conduct code. That review is ongoing, though I’ve reported on some of the interviews that were already available through the Freedom of Information Act. Those documents lead one to believe it the case might not be as cut-and-dried a case as the original police reports indicated.
Meanwhile, Georgia is not the only SEC team having to deal with a domestic violence issue. According to a report in the Orlando Sentinel today, Gators freshman tight end A.C. Leonard was arrested Wednesday night on domestic violence charges. Leonard was due to be released on his own recognizance Thursday and Florida coach Willi Muschamp has yet to comment on the situation.
Said spokesman Steve McClain: “Coach Muschamp is currently traveling and unavailable, but he will address the matter later today.”
There have been some other recent precedents as well:
On Feb. 3, Clemson dismissed wide receiver Joe Craig due to a domestic violence incident. However, apparently that was Craig’s second such charge. He was indefinitely suspended and ultimately missed three games last season due to the previous incident.
Conversely, Alabama’s Courtney Upshaw did not miss any playing time after he and his girlfriend were both arrested on domestic violence charges in 2009.
Which brings us to where we are today. Commings has already been issued a two-game suspension while his legal issues remain unresolved. So how do you guys feel about that? Should the Bulldogs have waited until his matter had run its course through the university and local legal systems? Do you trust Coach Richt’s judgment and/or did he get it about right? Is Georgia going too easy on Commings?
Intelligent, thoughtful comments only, please.
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547 comments Add your comment
jbeggs
February 17th, 2012
8:45 am
My guess is the suspension is probably alcohol and the DV stuff was non-existent. Drunk girlfriend starts wailing on him and he pushes her away and that was it.
richie
February 17th, 2012
8:51 am
He should have waited until it went through the legal process……. He over reacted……
G-Dawg
February 17th, 2012
8:57 am
Dont act like the young lady didnt have anything to do with this issue…seen it numerous times. Antagonizing the situation, since there plenty of people around. She’s just as much at fault as he is…takes two to tango. If this is the second DV on record, then she’s part liable for going back after the first time. Hopefully lessons are learned…and ppl can move along.
G-Dawg
February 17th, 2012
9:00 am
She was probablyl upset that he tried to pull her weave out in public!! LOL
BethlehemDawg
February 17th, 2012
9:10 am
The way I see it two games is more than fair for Commings. I don’t know all the facts, all I have seen are the reports that have been printed. Anyone with any knowledge of the legal system knows that their is critical evidence that will be withheld until the court date, so I will wait to make a judgment until legal affairs and the courts make their decisions. This being said two games is fair, for the kid putting himself in the situation. We must also be aware that Coach Richt is privy to information that we don’t have, and has better information to make a judgement than we. The two games must mean he isn’t completely innocent, or it is just the minimum for the arrest and more could possibly come. I think that he should also have to go through sensitivity and anger classes, just for the circumstances. Innocent or guilty, if done right, they make him a better person.
The problem here goes deeper than just Commings and domestic violence. There seems to be a character issue for college athletes. I’m not going to blame Richt, we here a lot about the bad apples, but we rarely here of his successes, which far out weigh the bad ones, with his college version of the all-pro dad. I think more schools should look into this, but also there needs to be something done before the kids come to college. Parents need to take more responsibility for their kids, but I think high school athletics should spend more time on turning out more complete people and students, than just winning.
A Father
February 17th, 2012
9:11 am
This is not the first DV for Sanders Commings. The author of this AJC article needs to get all the facts and then write the article.
WDE
February 17th, 2012
9:32 am
@A Father as the father of a couple of women I understand wanting protect women, but where is the proof that he has attacked this girl before or even this time…I can’t find a arrest report for a prior incident. I understand wanting to protect women and if he did strike her he needs to be gone but there is a whole lot of “he’s done this before” but not record of it. So if you have some information on a prior DV issue please share with the class.
flo-ri-duh
February 17th, 2012
9:38 am
Two eye witnesses said Cummings did not hit the girl. Obviously, Richt wouldn’t suspend a player without a good reason.
Gator Mike
February 17th, 2012
9:44 am
A.C. Leonard did a very stupid thing which is inexcusable. I am pleased that Will Muschamp suspended him from the team. This puts Coach Champ in the limelight because he has been preaching discipline at UF since he became the Head Football Coach. If all of the charges are accurate, Coach has no choice but to permanently boot Leonard from the team. If he doesn’t he will look like meyer who was not very strong on discipline. Athletes do not deserve special treatment. Leonard needs to pay big time. I do not care what they do at another school in this matter. UF needs to be unwavering.
The General Feeling
February 17th, 2012
9:45 am
C’mon Dawg fans. Stop making excuses for these kids. The quicker we can rid colleges of bad behavior the quicker we can become USSR.
Ooops. Does that get me flagged?
Gator Mike
February 17th, 2012
9:47 am
Ga Dawg: Muschamp has suspended Leonard.
A person SMART enough to know......
February 17th, 2012
9:52 am
flo-ri-duh…..were the witness you speak of Football players? Football players girlfriends? Every witness has a reason to tell the truth or to lie. We not know much but we do know the cops saw enough to make an arrest.
I am still not sure Richt needed to make a call yet. Not enough facts are in. I think Richt could have waited. He might get beat up on the blogs but that will happen either way. Richt should have said He will wait until more evidence came to light. Richt didn’t want to seem soft on a serious situation.
QuiantlyQ
February 17th, 2012
9:53 am
If this would have happeneded to Ealey, Ealey would have been kicked off the team. Truth is, no depth at defensive back means Commings can get away with stuff that should have gotten him booted from the team. Once again, Mark Richt’s favortism, and entitlement policy overrules merit. Unfair to guys like Ealey and Mettenberger, but Richt is Richt, and continues to play favorites.
UGA Insider
February 17th, 2012
10:01 am
Please note there has not been many South Carolina fans trolling this week…
Reason: Rumor is the NCAA is going to strip them of their 2010 SEC East Championship because of major infractions. In a long history of embarrassments for the school that one may take the cake.
zbulldawg
February 17th, 2012
10:06 am
Richt’s not avoiding any comment ! The comment is he’s suspended for two games ! “Period” the case is still pending you NUTS !! Also this is a personal matter ! Most all coaches with any class would do the same ! This a legal matter not for us to be Judge & Jury ! There’s no hidden boggie man here ! We won’t really know much more until court ! Sanders please stay away from this person or persons You have such a bright future !
Tallcarl
February 17th, 2012
10:09 am
@ A father-.You and your daughter need counciling because you are passing your issues on to her.
junkyarddawg
February 17th, 2012
10:21 am
CMR has laid down that law! 1st this 2 game may only be the 1st step, if convicted he’ll be released from the team. 2nd if any other those numbnuts we are providing a great education to cross the line they too will face the Wrath of Richt, as well they should. I tired of our arrest count being news. Let’s leave that to UF, AL, AU, SC and others.
Thank you Coach for what you are doing to make these young men, men of high moral quality.
zbulldawg
February 17th, 2012
10:21 am
OH by the way Ealey had too many chances ! This is the right way to approach this ! It’s best to enforce the conduct rule now ! It’s not good for any body to out drinking on the streets that time of morning ! Not much happening in Athens at that time !
B_LO_44
February 17th, 2012
10:25 am
Okay, so it is ok for women to yell, slap, and grab at a male as he is trying to leave the situation without he being able to nudge or brush her off of him?? that is all this case is, a jealous girlfriend of a star athlete, who wants attention..
Choke
February 17th, 2012
10:26 am
I don’t know Sanders extremely well, but based on my personal interactions w/ him (downtown), he has never struck me as somebody prone to violence (off the field). So, when this report surfaced, I was a bit shocked. However, I was not surprised at all to read conflicting information that perhaps suggests he is not guilty of the charges. Based on the “facts” that I’ve read, it doesn’t look like a battery. If she was physically attacking him, he doesn’t have to take it. He has a right to use reasonable force to defend himself, even if she is a girl. Pushing her hand away from his person certainly seems reasonable. If he slapped her to the ground, that would be a different story altogether, but nothing in the reports suggests anything that severe. Let’s not forget that in downtown disputes, parties are often intoxicated and act irrationally. That can go for the “victim” too. Bottom line: while nothing technically forbids you from rushing to judgment, the notions of fairness and decency should dissuade you from doing so, especially w/ charges such as these.
As for CMR, I don’t think it’s anybody’s place to second-guess his disciplinary decisions. While Sanders might not be guilty of this crime, this has still caused a substantial distraction to the team. Nothing in CMR’s history suggests that he is unfair w/ his players. There are always factors at play aside from technical violations of the law.
Italian_29
February 17th, 2012
10:26 am
I think that Coach Richt is suspending SC because it is policy that a minimum 2 game suspension be served if a Student Athlete is arrested and regardless if SC is Innocent or Guilty, he was arrested, hence the 2 game suspension. I do believe, based on CMR record, that if SC had hit this girl, he would be GONE.
DogSTYLE
February 17th, 2012
10:29 am
Word on the streets is they got into a fight after she said ‘I’m leaving you for a Tech man”.
sapelodawg
February 17th, 2012
10:30 am
It is none of Saint Mark’s business. He was hired as a football Coach and paid handsomely. If he wants to be a marriage counselor, give up the coaching job and make himself and me both happy.
Waldy Butz
February 17th, 2012
10:37 am
I think for punishment SC should have to go to classes his entire senior year
uga1984
February 17th, 2012
10:38 am
Yet another example of why I continue to support CMR. Is he the BEST coach in the SEC – probably not; but I would certainly hope that if my kid wanted to play football at a good program, I hope that he would choose UGA. CMR does look after the kid’s best interest & sometimes that goes contrary to winning football games & championships. While he cannot babysit each athlete, he certainly demonstrates true, consistent leadership.
Kudos to AJC for finally putting UGA football infractions in perspective by also including other university’s issues as well. AJC has always placed a spotlight on UGA (rightfully so) because of the proximity to Athens. However, if anyone thinks this type of stuff is not happening everywhere, at most football programs, they are delusional.
schmeckdawg
February 17th, 2012
10:39 am
From what the ajc reported from two eye witnesses former UGA player Jeremy Luongo and another student, it seems as though his “girlfriend” was theone doing the hitting and finally Commings shoved her off of him. If this is in fact the case then I don’t think the suspension is warranted. I know you are not suppossed to put your hands on a woman, but, when that woman is physically abusing you and I don’t care how big you are, how long are you supposed to take it?
Northern Sympathizer
February 17th, 2012
10:43 am
I don’t think the blogosphere is the proper venue for a domestic violence charge. That said, I think UGA should let the process play out legally first.
Big Crimson 75
February 17th, 2012
10:44 am
Damn UGA fans — your Coach is 34 – 19 in the last 4 years….Same as Coach Parton.
I know one thing, their is a certain school in the SEC where that kind of mediocrity gets 3 dudes & a Truck and U-Hauls ringing your doorbell! just sayin……
Are y’all gonna take another 10 – 4 snooze-fest from Coach Christ ?
2 more L’s in the reg season, another L in the SECCG & an L in the a.m. Bowl.
You know it sucks when your boys are playing their Bowl Game & you got a bowl of Corn Flakes on your lap, instead of the grill burning with the Beef marinating & your favorite beverage in hand!
Roll Tizzle !
Big Crimson 75
February 17th, 2012
10:44 am
BTW — no disrespect. I mean I would never compare Richt to Johnson. Night & Day.
Richt gets far more respect. Wins in the SEC have much more value than beating a NC ST in front of 18,000 people.
tw3a
February 17th, 2012
10:45 am
Building Character is a big part of a coach’s job, sometimes consequences hurt, just ask the young lady what she thinks.
Tim
February 17th, 2012
10:47 am
I personally believe these blogs allow people to show their ignorance. Who cares about opinions on such things BEFORE he is judged innocent or guilty. Let it play out, then post your idiotic comments. These blogs allow theses “judges” to hide behind a screen name. Besides, let’s call a spade a spade. EVERY program has these problems. I just boils down to ALA, TECH or any other rival school to put their digs in. Get a life.
Chuck
February 17th, 2012
10:47 am
The shocker is that the Tuscaloosa police cuffed the Bama star to begin with.
ugaDAWG
February 17th, 2012
10:49 am
It’s amazing the number of “experts” who know more than Mark Richt about his incident. You can have your opinion based cupon a certain scenario, but you don’t know enough to have an opinion on the incident in question. So, regardless of your opinion, Mark Richt is in much better position to make a decision on it than any of us. Thank Goodness for that!
RJM
February 17th, 2012
10:51 am
Coach Richt should have waited for the legal system had completed the investigation.
WDE
February 17th, 2012
10:55 am
Big Crimson 75 tell you what try and get to the SEC title game this year, we will try to also then lets actually play then you can talk tough…if you win…
Crimedog
February 17th, 2012
10:58 am
Apparently Richt censures comments on this blog.
JK
February 17th, 2012
11:03 am
The assumption that Sanders hit her is some people’s first instinct. What those do not probably understand is that a woman can be the aggressor. Any men who have been on that side of it know that when you get hit you have to defend yourself. Not punch back but you can’t just stand there and take a wild woman’s punches. Women are just as guilty in these situations and too many times the man is blamed for something he didn’t do.
GT
February 17th, 2012
11:12 am
Knowing Richt he probably already knows the outcome of the court hearing. What good would a two game suspension do if the kid is in jail game day? This is the ingredients of why Georgia is a second tier team in the SEC. You mention Florida like that was a measuring stick. Great coaches don’t seem to want to stay at Florida, and right now their program is even worse than Georgia’s. These kids are uncoachable and the only teams you are going to beat are other teams with uncoachable talent that is worse than yours. Watch Vandy and learn, they are passing the Dawgs this year, which makes about a half dozen that have gone by them as they babysit uncoachable superstars.
dale
February 17th, 2012
11:12 am
The penalty is too harsh. He’s a good player.
schmeckdawg
February 17th, 2012
11:27 am
JK
February 17th, 2012
11:03 am
The assumption that Sanders hit her is some people’s first instinct. What those do not probably understand is that a woman can be the aggressor. Any men who have been on that side of it know that when you get hit you have to defend yourself. Not punch back but you can’t just stand there and take a wild woman’s punches. Women are just as guilty in these situations and too many times the man is blamed for something he didn’t do.
*********************************************************************************************
AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!! See my post from 10:39 this morning!!!!!!!
Trey Mehrebutts
February 17th, 2012
11:30 am
You UGAs must be very proud of your “student athletes.”
schmeckdawg
February 17th, 2012
11:37 am
Trey Mehrebutts
February 17th, 2012
11:30 am
You UGAs must be very proud of your “student athletes.”
******************************************************************************
We are thank you!
ugab
February 17th, 2012
11:43 am
The punishment is fair for Commings.. The suspension should be lifted, if Commings is not convicted of this crime in court… Commings let down his team. I hope Commings does not screw the rest of his time at ga. or in the NFL. I am getting the feeling that MR is not driving these players to practice more on the off season. EVERYONE IS EXPECTING UGA TO DO WELL WITH THE EASY SCHEDULE NEXT SEASON. NOTHING IS GOING TO BE GIVEN TO MR OR THE PLAYERS. THE DAWGS ARE THIN AT CB AND OL. SOMEONE NEEDS TO GET OFF THEIR A,, AND PUT SOME FIRE INTO THESE PLAYERS. IT REMINDS ME OF THE YR THE DAWGS WERE RANKED #1. THEY WERE NOT READY!!!! JUST BECAUSE A LOT OF PLAYERS ARE COMING BACK ON D DOESN’T MEAN WINS ARE GOING TO BE GIVEN
mikkuga
February 17th, 2012
11:43 am
Lets be honest here. There were multiple witnesses that say all that Sanders did was pull away from her when she grabbed his arm. He did not ever lay a hand on her or hit her. So people need to stop making it into something it is not. All of the witnesses names and statements are out there. Google is your friend if you actually take the time to look it up. Sanders should not be suspended at all but I don’t think that it is up to the coaches. This suspension was handed down from the school.
ugab
February 17th, 2012
11:44 am
MR COMMINGS NEEDS TO GET RID OF THAT WOMAN. TROUBLE.
icedawg
February 17th, 2012
11:52 am
I hope that Commings gets the help that he needs. The two game suspension is the least of his worries. Sounds like he has other issues that will wreck his life let alone a season.
Typical
February 17th, 2012
11:58 am
No, they went ahead and suspended him for the two cupcake games to open the season. If they had waited he might have had to sit out a *real* game. Kindof like the delay last year with Crowell & the Florida game. It just doesn’t pass the smell test.
Chris
February 17th, 2012
11:59 am
Commings should be suspended two games for dating a crazy chick to begin with.
daddydog
February 17th, 2012
12:00 pm
All indications are the GF initiated the confrontation. If he hit her the 2 games are right, his 3 years @ UGA with no problems also must be considered. If he was just trying to get her off him, the penalty should be lessened when this is proven.
A-Ville Ranger
February 17th, 2012
12:14 pm
Richt met with SC before suspending him. I trust they spoke honestly and Richt make the right call. CMR really has to be firm given the numbers of issues his players have had.