Brandon Spikes, Brandon Spikes, Brandon Spikes, what were you thinking?!?!?!?!
I'm not going to hold anything back by saying the eye gouging incident that was caught on tape by CBS during the Florida / Georgia game, involving Brandon Spikes was anything but a classless act by a great football player that should not have to resort to tactics like that at anytime for any reason.
There was no need for what Spikes did in being in on the tackle of Georgia running back Washaun Ealey. It is very apparent on the video that Spikes was intentionally trying to eye gouge Ealey through his face mask during the play. No flag was thrown on the play but it is a low class play that has tainted the Gators victory over rival Georgia.
Florida head coach Urban Meyer can make a huge statement of his character and the character of the University of Florida football program by suspending Spikes for the season. So far Meyer's only response is that, "I'll have serious talk with him." I'm not going to rush to judgement, as it is too soon, but in my opinion Meyer must suspend Spikes for the rest of the season. Meyer better have more than a serious talk, say what you want, but it was uncalled for and dirty to the extreme. If Meyer does not suspend Spikes than the SEC should take action.
The gouging attempt is much worse than what LaGarrette Blount of Oregon did on opening day against Boise State and Blount was suspended by coach Chip Kelly for the season.
You can watch the incident below and make your own decision:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cISxU8Crulw
*****UPDATE*************UPDATE************UPDATE***********UPDATE********
University of Florida head coach Urban Myer has suspended Brandon Spikes for the first half against Vandy for the eye gouging incident against the Bulldogs. Spikes has said the eye gouge was retaliation for getting poked in the eye earlier in the game.
In my opinion Coach Meyer has sent the wrong message to his players and the University of Florida student body and to everyone that was watching or has heard about it. While no one was hurt because of the eye gouge attempt and Ealey did not miss a play it does not change the fact of what Spikes intentions were. He set out to purposely injure another player outside the realm of normal play. It is inexcusable and a one half suspension amounts to condoning Spikes
actions.
**********2nd UPDATE ***********2nd UPDATE***********2nd UPDATE***********
The SEC has now chimed in on the Brandon Spikes eye gouge incident and here is their official statement:
"The Southeastern Conference has reviewed and accepted the disciplinary actions taken by the University of Florida regarding football student-athlete Brandon Spikes. The university suspended Spikes for the first half of its next game (vs. Vanderbilt, Nov. 7) for an unsportsmanlike act during the Gators' last game (vs. Georgia, Oct. 31)."
I think the SEC took the wrong stance on this issue. I think it's time the NCAA took a look at this. They suspended Dez Bryant from Oklahoma State for lying because they said it showed a lack of character and truthfulness on his part. Wonder what Spikes showed Saturday?
*********3rd UPDATE****************3RD UPDATE**********3RD UPDATE********
Below you will find the gouge that Brandon Spikes says he was retaliating for. You be the judge. I don't see anything other than a push to the face and his helmet came off and he got a finger to the eye. If his helmet had stayed on nothing would have happened. He wears a visor. I don't buy it. Spikes was being beyond dirty and malicious.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnPj3aeAzZU
***********4th UPDATE*************4TH UPDATE**************4TH UPDATE*****
This will be the final update concerning this topic. Everyone can make their own decisions and come to their own conclusions. Brandon Spikes has issued an apology and here it is:
"I accept responsibility for my actions and I accept the consequences of my actions. 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."
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I watched the video and just have to ask, WHY? Spikes didn't have to do that. Meyer should throw him off the team.
ReplyDeleteWhat the hell? Just another reason to hate the Gators. Meyer probably wont's suspend him but he should. The SEC will just give stearn warning. Dumb.
ReplyDeleteIt happens all the time in football and that doesn't make it right. This was caught on tape on national tv and Spikes should have to pay for his stupid antics. Meyer should suspend him. I would love to hear what Tebow has to say about it.
ReplyDeleteThese players think they are above the law and rules. They bring this thug attitude into the game. Just because Spikes plays for Florida doesn't mean it doesn't happen at every school. He should have to pay the price for being immature and foolish.
ReplyDeleteBrandon Spikes is a team captain and a leader. A true leader leads by example, see Tim Tebow, is this the leadership UF wants or needs.
ReplyDeleteUF fans can spin this anyway they want. If they don't say it was wrong and dirty than they are blind. There is now way they can defend the video and his actions.
ReplyDeleteGator fans probably won't comment on this at all. There is nothing they can defend. He was wrong. They just be quiet and hope it goes away. Probably throw out, Just Brandon being Brandon. Like Red Sox fans did with Manny.
ReplyDeleteMakes you proud, doesn't it Gator fans?
ReplyDeleteSPIN, SPIN, SPIN GATORS. URBAN, GOT SOME SPLAININ' TO DO.
ReplyDeleteThanks for calling it like you saw it. No need for any explanations. UF fans can't make any excuses for him being a goon and a thug.
ReplyDeleteYeah, you beat Georgia. Yeah, you'll probably play for and win the national championship. Nice to know that Coach Meyer is recruiting such quality student athletes to play for him. What a moron.
ReplyDeletetwo bits, four bits, six bits, a dollar, all who think Spikes is an idiot stand up and hollar!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt happens all the time in college football. Spikes just got caught. I think everyone is blowing this out of proportion. It's part of the game.
ReplyDeleteYou can't be serious by justifying Spikes actions by saying "it happens all the time". That doesn't make it right. Spikes is an idiot, thug, moron, a##hole, and any other adjective you want to throw in there.
ReplyDeleteIf Coach Meyer doesn't suspend Spikes and the SEC doesn't do anything than I think Mark Richt should petition the NCAA to ake some action for the dirty play.
ReplyDeleteA one half suspension? Come on coach, you're playing Vandy. You couldn't have manned up and sat him for at least the whole game against the powerhouse of the SEC?
ReplyDeleteA half-game suspension for trying to hurt someone on purpose. So had he suceeded in his attempt that means Meyer would have suspened him for the full game. I've got to agree with you on this, Meyer has sent the wrong message to every current player and future recruit. I think someone will be trying to take Spikes out for this the rest of the year. It was dirty, almost Butkus like and uncalled for.
ReplyDeleteCoach Meyer just made a joke out of Florida with the one -half suspension. He says they have values and strong beleifs. I guess what they value more than anything is winning and they beleive that Spikes did nothing wrong.
ReplyDeleteWinning is the most important thing in college football and Urban Meyer made that loud and clear. He talks about the character of his players and team. He just showed about the same class as Brandon Spikes. What Meyer did is not different than what any other college football coach would have done. I thought Meyer was better than the others. He is just like the rest of them. That's your college football coach fraternity for you.
ReplyDeleteYou would expect this out of Miami. But Florida. I guess with winning comes the lack of control and the inability to not have a skewed view of what is right or wrong.
ReplyDeleteI didn't think any Gator fans would come in here and say anything. They know Spikes was wrong and they know Meyer is wrong. They'll just stick their heads in the sand and ignore it. I bet if this were a Georgia player who was caught on tape doing this they would be expecting heads to roll and calling out Mark Richt.
ReplyDeleteI'm a UF fan. Tried and true orange and blue. I can not in no way disagree that Brandon Spikes should have been suspended for more than one-half of a football game. His act had malicious intent and he should be punished more severly.
ReplyDeleteA half game suspension. Come on. That is a joke. I hope the SEC or NCAA step up and hand out a stiffer penalty for this goon.
ReplyDeleteSit him for the season Coach Meyer. Wait can't do that, a national championship is on the line. I guess you have to have your priorities straight. What does a half-game suspension accomplish against Vanderbilt?
ReplyDeleteI guess if you make a bad call as a ref in the SEC against the wrong team you get suspended. If you try to poke a guy's eye out you get slapped on the wrist. The SEC is not about to punish Florida and hinder it's national championship run and throw away that BCS bowl money that goes to the conference.
ReplyDeleteJust one Gator fan has something to say about this? I bet they are just ashamed of Spikes actions and Meyer's pitiful display of leadership as the head coach.
ReplyDeleteIsn't the SEC the same conference that has reprimanded coaches for complaining about officials and now someone tries to poke someone elses eye out and they are ok with a half-game suspension. WTF????????????????
ReplyDeleteThe NCAA has been pushing sportmanship all season long during the games with commerials featuring coaches, mascots and fans. I guess it doesn't apply to players.
ReplyDeleteThis whole thing is a joke. If a flag had been thrown during the game he would have been ejected and then I bet suspended ( for longer than a half) but since it is happening after the fact nothing is really going to happen and it seems that it's no big deal to Coach Meyer. If it happened to one of his players he would be sqwaking and doing it loudly and so would the fans.
ReplyDeleteWhile Spikes may have been poked in the eye, you have got to be kidding me in him saying that is why he did what he did. He can't justify it. Him getting gouged looked like a football play not a pre-meditated action like his gouge was. He knew what he was doing.
ReplyDeleteI watched both and can't see what Spikes is referring too. He did get poked in the eye, yes he did. But if he got a haircut and his helmet stood on it would not have happened. Guess he can blame himself for both of them.
ReplyDeleteIf that is what Spikes was so pissed about he needs to grow up. That was just a football play. He's just a punk.
ReplyDeleteCoach Urban Meyer should be ashamed of himself for allowing Brando Spikes to humiliate the univeristy and not do anything about it except hand out a meaningless half game suspension against a cupcake opponent. Meyer has made a mockery of UF foobtall with this poor decision.
ReplyDeleteJust like I thought the university and the SEC are basically doing nothing. They want to collect those big checks for the conference and the school for having as many teams in BCS bowls as possible and they won't do anything to stop that from happening. Not that Florida needs Spikes they seem to win without him.
ReplyDeleteFlorida fans not saying much. Suprise Suprise.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame I had respect for the Gators and what Meyer was doing. Makes me wonder though. I though he was cut from a different cloth. He's the same as most of the others. Winning comes first.
ReplyDeleteWhat Spikes did was deliberate. He knew what he was doing and thought about it before he did it. He also talked about retaliation for something that happened earlier. That is why he should be suspended for the season and not just one half. He tried to mame another player with an eye gouge. He needs to learn to control himself because that won't work in the NFL.
ReplyDeleteYou know it's kinda funny that when you said Tebow woudln't win the Heisman and Florida wasn't the best team in the country Florida fans came in here and blasted you. Now when they know that one of their's is wrong they have nothing to say. They won't even come here and post that Brandon Spikes did something wrong. Florida fans are gutless.
ReplyDeleteGators fans will say they are just being picked on because they are the Gators and they would be correct. When you are high profile all eyes are on you. Just like it has happened at Miami, Oklahoma, Florida State, Alabama and the rest of the high profile teams that have had on-field and off-field problems. It comes with the territory. There is still no excuse for what Brandon Spikes did. I've watched both vids and one looks like a ban-bang football play and the other looks like some idiot trying to scracth someone's eyes out like a little girl. Get used to it Florida fans as a winner you'll be under the microscope and yes held to a higher standard. Fair or unfair it's just how it happens.
ReplyDeleteYou called Brandon Spikes a great football players and I would have to say you are wrong. Great players do not do what he did. Tebow is great, Spikes is just another wanna be with dreadlocks.
ReplyDeleteI watched and gotta agree wit ya.
ReplyDeleteWay to stay on top of the story and give us some follow-ups. Thanks for the videos because it does give us the chance to decide that Spikes is a douchebag.
ReplyDeleteA half game suspension that's laughable. And against Vandy that's even more laughable. How about a real punishment Coach.
ReplyDeleteAn "unsportsmanlike act" way to go SEC. Guess next time he should keep the eyeballs as souvenirs so has something to play with on the sidelines during his half game suspension. Nice job promoting that sportsmanship creedo this year SEC.
ReplyDeleteWhat a dirty player. Just goes to show what you can expect from the Gators. And I am curious as to where all the Gator fans are? Why haven't they been saying anything? Why haven't they been defending him? Why haven't they offered a different point of view? Gues they're hiding and ashamed of Spikes and what Meyer's punishment was for the cowardly lion.
ReplyDeleteYou can post what ever you want concerning this topic. I do ask though that you keep it clean. Please no profanity. I appreciate everyone's point of view but again keep it clean.
ReplyDeleteIf this had happened at FSU, Bobby would say, we are going to take care of this "in house". AKA: The player will run a little more after practice. If Spikes really was trying to gouge Ealey's eyes, don't you think Ealey would have said something. Spikes was pulling at his helmet. Still doesn't make it right. Would have preferred that Meyer suspend him for the entire Vandy game. At least Florida disciplines their players, however. What a concept, right FSU???
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, Dave Hart just reviewed the video and said that it was "inconclusive" as to whether the offense occurred. Just like when Darnell Dockett twisted Earnest Graham's knee and also tried to deliberately stomp Rex Grossman's hand in 2001. No suspensions for that one, right. And Graham was injured and missed the Tennessee game the following week most likely costing Florida a shot at a National Championship in 2001. All you Gator haters need to stop whining about this.
ReplyDeleteI would agree that Darnell Dockett should have been sent packing at that time. This is now and I'm talking about now. For the people that know me and know who I am I would not waiver in saying that an FSU player should be thrown off the team if they had done what Brandon Spikes did. What he did was intentional and malicious. There was no need for it. I do not care if he played for FSU, Florida, Miami or any other school. What he did was wrong and being on the roster of the University of Florida makes no difference to me. This is not about FSU or Bobby Bowden do not try to deflect the attention away from what and when it happened. He was wrong. Any player would have been wrong in my mind not just a Florida Gator. I feel a half-game suspension does not send a strong enough message. Watch the video and tell me something different. I'll listen.
ReplyDeleteWhy even mention FSU. I thought this happened in the Fla/Ga game. Don't bring up something that happened seven or eight years ago.
ReplyDeleteI think the media is making way too much out of this. He got caught is going to serve his suspension. Is going to get him and the Gators lots of bad pub. Go back to the fact that no one got hurt and from what I saw on the video if he really wanted he could have caused serious injury. He was trying to make a statement. The wrong one but trying to make one.
ReplyDeleteTrying to make a statement?? Are you serious!?!?!? A statement that he is a thug? Point made! A statement that he has NO comprehension of the word sportsmanship? Point made! A statement that a wrong is only answered with another wrong? Point made!
ReplyDeleteSpikes made a statement alright, one that he is a classless thug with no understanding of sportsmanship...Bravo...let's give the guy a "I made a statement" award.
Spikes did apologize for what he did. He knows he is wrong and what he did was wrong. I doubt you'll see anything like that from him for the rest of the season.
ReplyDeleteIt's almost laughable that FSU would be brought into this topic. This isn't about FSU. It's about Brandon Spikes and his dirty play during the Georgia game. I have to agree with the blog post that the suspension of a half game is a joke. Most of the media would seem to agree as well. Urban Meyer had the chance to make a decision that would have made Florida the envy of college football in the eyes of the media and fans but he blew it. He had the chance to suspend Spikes and make it loud and clear that his behavior and behavior like that would not be tolerated under his watch. He could have elevated himself above Bobby Bowden in that respect but he blew it and showed that he is cut from the same mold as 90% of college football coaches. Winning and keeping your stars on the field are the most important things. I'm nuetral as it concerns Florida and Florida State and Georgia for that matter. But I'm afraid that if that happened at the school I root for, Coach Davis, would have the same response as Meyer would have had. I find that disappointing.
ReplyDeleteFSU? Bobby Bowden? David Hart? What do they have to with what Brandon Spikes did? I'll agree with the above post. This isn't about anyone or anybody but Spikes and the Gators and Urban Meyer's decision to suspend him for a half. As far as Dockett is concerned that is old news, and he is a big a fool as Spikes was. Meyer should have handed out a suspension of more than just a half of football. He probably won't be needed in the second half anyway. Meyer's suspension points out everything that is wrong with college football.
ReplyDeleteSpikes said he was wrong. No only if Gators fans could see it. I still think Meyer went to lightly on him and the actions deserved a more severe penalty.
ReplyDeleteTim Tebow has added his two cents to the Spikes fiasco. He said that Georgia players were doing some of the same things that Spikes is being vilanized for. He added that he doesn't retaliate it just fires him up more. Tim Tebow is a first class person and great example of what is right about college football. Kudos to Tim. Hope Brandon Spike was paying attention to the true leader of the Gators.
ReplyDeleteI don't see anyone complaining about the late hit Nick Williams put on Tebow during the game.
ReplyDeleteDUDE!!!!!!!!! IT WAS A LATE HIT. HE WASN'T TRYING TO RIP TEBOWS EYES OUT.
ReplyDeleteEveryone will complain about the Gators because they win. They will point out every flaw on the team. As a fan I'm used to it. Say what ever you want we'll just go out and keep winning.
ReplyDeleteFor us that read this blog I have to say way to go to the writer. It seems that this story is all over the web today and he came on and talked about it yesterday morning. GOOD JOB!!!! Way to be on top of things.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more about the writer, Seems like all the major media blogs are a day late on this hot topic!!! Good Job!!
ReplyDeleteTebow is the heart and soul of the Gators. As a UF fan I am disheartnened by the actions of Brandon Spikes and I do not agree with the length of the penalty handed out by Coach Meyer. In my opinion a full two games would have been more than enough to get the point across that the behavior shown will not be tolerated. As a fan base we should be celebrating a great victory over a hated rival and not discussing the classless act of one of our players. Brandon should have used Tim's advice and just used the hit against him as motivation and should not have resorted to the blatant attack on a fellow athlete.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to see a UF fan come and post something other than to rip another team or talk about the past. It's refreshing. It's just not refreshing because I agree with him or her.
ReplyDeletethis was a comment sent to my e-mail:
ReplyDelete"Wish i woul have seen this earlier. Saturday was the first Gator game i've missed all year, and didn't see the video until last night.
As a Gator fan, i am in total shock and embarassed that this took place. I am also embarassed that it only warrented a 1/2 game suspension. my opion, as a fan, the minimum shouls have 2 games, but three would have been more deserving. I hope that Meyer re-considers.
The sad part of this is three part. It is something that has gone un-punished many times through out the History of the game. The second part is that both Spikes and the kid from Oregon where Seniors! Third is the message that it sends to young fans, the NFL and NBA send enough bad messages for all sports. That's one of the things that College Football supplied, being a example.
Meyer needs to take some notes from one of his predecessors" Spurrier proved he would have suspend someone for a much lesser offense
comment sent to my e-mail:
ReplyDelete"Just read two articles containing quotes from Georgia's Washaun Ealey. As you know, I do not condone what Brandon Spikes did, but Ealey's quotes put a different spin on the whole incident.
Ealey said that he didn't know what the big deal was. There was alot of jawing back and forth, and both teams were doing "some things" to each other. And as far as he was concerned, Spikes should not receive any suspension.
I disagree with Ealey about the suspension, it should be more sever, and hopefully Meyer re-evaluates his disipline, and make it stiffer."