ATHENS, Ga. — A most unlikely person came to the defense of Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes, who was suspended for half a game for apparently trying to gouge the eyes of Georgia running back Washaun Ealey
Ealey said Tuesday he doesn’t believe Spikes should have been suspended.
In fact, Ealey seemed surprised the play from Saturday’s game drew so much attention.
Florida coach Urban Meyer on Monday suspended Spikes for the first half of this week’s game against Vanderbilt after the defensive captain stuck his hand in Ealey’s helmet and appeared to try to stick his fingers in Ealey’s eyes.
Ealey says he doesn’t agree with those who have said the suspension was not stiff enough.
“That really didn’t matter to me,” Ealey said of the suspension. “That’s their decision. He shouldn’t, I think, get suspended at all. We were just out there playing football.”
Ealey said he had his eyes closed when Spikes stuck his hand in his helmet and he wasn’t hurt.
“He really didn’t gouge my eyes,” Ealey said. “He really didn’t get a chance to get close to my eyes.”
The freshman said he believes similar incidents happen all the time.
“I’m pretty sure it goes on back and forth,” he said. “We probably do it and other teams do too. It’s all football. We’re just out there trying to have fun.”
Top-ranked Florida beat Georgia 41-17. The Bulldogs play Tennessee Tech on Saturday.
On Monday, Spikes issued an apology.
“I accept responsibility for my actions and I accept the consequences of my actions,” Spikes said. “I would like to apologize to my team and the coaching staff and Washaun Ealey. Football is a very physical and emotional game, but there is no excuse for my actions.”
The Southeastern Conference issued a statement on Monday saying it reviewed and accepted the discipline handed down by Florida.
Meyer said he believed Spikes retaliated after getting his helmet ripped off and eye poked earlier in the game.
Georgia coach Mark Richt said Spikes’ “helmet went flying off ... and there was one time he got hit with his helmet off.”
“It was totally unintentional,” Richt said. “They were totally just playing ball. That might have got him bent out of shape. I don’t know about all of that.”
Ealey carried 17 times for 70 yards against the Gators.
“It was just a lot of emotion in the game,” he said. “We were out there fighting. It was a big rivalry game. Everybody was just out there talking trash back and forth. ... We were just out there playing football and having fun.”
Notes: Richt said Caleb King will start over Ealey at tailback in Saturday’s game against Tennessee Tech. Richt said King has the edge in pass-blocking but said Ealey “will continue to play.” Ealey has started the last two games. ... Richt said he hopes top receiver A.J. Green, who will miss this week’s game with a pulmonary contusion, can return to play against Auburn on Nov. 14.
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
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Comments » 29
Volunatic writes:
Good for him. I'm glad Ealey still has eyes that work, despite spikes' intentions.
ctownvol writes:
Slive must've threatened UGA with something awful bad if they didn't leave Meyer and his boys alone. What a f'n joke!
EZVOL writes:
This thug who is a captain of the team, is caught on national TV trying to gouge an opponent's eyes out and Meyer suspends him for one half. What a joke. If the captain does it then you know everyone else is doing it too. I've read where some people are saying "thats just football" and "thats what happens in the pile". If Ealey had gotten up and took a swing at Spikes he would have been thrown out of the game. Eye gouging is alot more serious than a punch.
jet writes:
Would expect him to say something like this, otherwise he would have sounded like a cry baby.....but good for him!!!
Laydbakvol writes:
Classic case of the Stockholm Syndrome.
RockyTop10nessee writes:
What the hell...
truckinvol writes:
Way to go Urbie, suspend him for a half against Vandy. What a joke. He deliberately tried to injure or maim an opponent. Florida must be proud of their "thug" football.
steamboatticket#484773 writes:
Dumb and Dumber...
bigorange61 writes:
Really? Seems you are still talking.
mbible1utk#324980 writes:
I agree with Washaun... if they will only suspend him for one half, what's the use? He isn't going to learn how to play clean in 30 minutes against the SEC's worst team!
Not to mention that any negative comment would probably make Slive remove any remaining eligibility Ealey has left!
mcever writes:
lol... let's rename that the SEC Syndrome, you seem to take a liking to UF/Bama in the media(kinda have to or you get suspended).
cloudodust writes:
Ealey has seen the dark side in a few practice sessions at Athens. Those that are focusing on Spikes are overlooking the Dawgs 'extra efforts'. BTW, Spikes was only trying to retrieve his mouthpeice that fell into Ealey's helmet.
bigorange61 writes:
In the context of this game, I don't totally disagree with Ealey. It was dirty on both sides. Tebow caught a cheap shot. No, it wasn't a "late hit". Let's call it even and move on.
cltvol writes:
I hate Florida first & foremost. But its ridiculous that such a big deal is made because a tuff guy in a tuff guy sport acts like a tuff guy. Too namby pamby. Save the condemnation when it happens in soccer or some other kid sport where anybody that shows up gets a trophy.
we3vols#281863 writes:
For the 1st time I agree with you AZZ TROLL. How could I possibly believe my "Lieing Eyes" when I have a real man like reyem to Set Me Streight. What a "Goofball". Go Vols! Go away Fools...sorry I mean Trolls.
Psychovol writes:
Great now even UGA's players are gator jock sniffers. Must be all that love that Tebow and Meyer are passing around.
we3vols#281863 writes:
Hey tool. Get this. Credibility.....You have no Business on this borad. For you to even know what is going on here places your loneliness on display. Who the H3LL are you to come to a Vols board (hiding behind a computer) and display any of your so called opinions. No one here gives Shat! Spikes is filthy and it is on record. Please Link to your claim of Spikes being gouged in the eye. Get the H3LL out of here. You are not welcome. Fool! Go Vols!
we3vols#281863 writes:
You move on out off of this site.....Fool Troll. LOL, what? No place you can find to be loved? Go to a Gator site. I am sure you are their "Pride and Joy". Go Vols!
cloudodust writes:
Son, I've been a Volunteer longer than you've drawn breath. Just so happens I married a Georgia woman and she kept me here where here is about a hour from Athens GA. The 'extra efforts' refers to 'after whistle' activities. Watch, listen and you will learn.
abnermc writes:
I agree he should not have been suspended... he should be arrested.
rusty_shackleford writes:
Don't listen Vol fans since we're "biased." Listen to PTI, Around the Horn, SportCenter, Mike and Mike, Colin Cowherd, Doug Gotlieb, as well as various national sportswriters. Meyer went soft on Spikes, and the SEC and NCAA are ignoring the subject. Wonder why?
A Big 12 kid doesn't break ANY NCAA rules but isn't completely truthful and he gets 365 day suspension. Spikes apparently tries to blind a guy and he gets 1/2 a game against the patsy of the SECE. Really? No favoritism? Really?
MoralVictory writes:
Urban called and reminded me that the GatorNation could care less about the opinions of the Vol faithful,BUT but we are glad your school is still playing Div 1 football and 4-4 is an excellent record for the Vols
Rugby2 writes:
I am surprised the Florida coach kept a straight face ...A half of a game? Against Vandy? And Florida called Tennessee a dirty team last year!
An eye gouge several plays after the fact is a premeditated act; not like a punch in retaliation. Not a lot of damage can be done by a punch when helemts and pads are being worn, but sticking your fingers into someone's eyes can cause damage.
So now there are circumstances when it is OK to take matters into your own hands on the pitch. If game gets "chippy" it'll be time for a punch up on the field. If the SEC office stepped in and upped the punishment to at least one full game that may have made the Florida coach's "serious punishment" look weak. Can't have the conference's star coach look bad. Image is everything.
A rugby player in an international test match did the same thing this summer and got suspended for 6 weeks. That's pretty serious.
Give Blood Play Rugby
OldNumber7 writes:
Intent is still a crime. BTW, a lot of trash talking on this site from SEC teams over the summer, then UF and Bama play UT and then silence.
smyrnavol writes:
CD, thats the most enjoyable post i've read on this thread. too much pizzin contest going on to sift through, but that was funny. GO VOLS!!!
abnermc writes:
cheap shot?
old_number1 writes:
Spikes- what an absolute PUKE from h3ll!!
Ealey - what a dipstick
Urbin Crier- rediculous
I can't figure out which is the biggest idiot!!
gatorbaitheaven writes:
I can recall two players having their eyes looked at and treated by training staff one was Tebow the other Spikes. Maybe thats why Meyer went easy on Spikes the ole payback is a B---h. He should not have done what he did But if your going to dish it you have to be able to take it. Ga. running back must agree. I could not believe the stuff from both sides that the refs were letting them get away with. It was a very intense game from start to finish.
stratocaster54 writes:
"Can't we all just get along!" And just like the original author of that quote, I expect this kid to end up in jail! Thug!
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