Eye-Gouging Thuggery on Football Field… Florida Gator Linebacker Brandon Spikes vs. Georgia Bulldog Washuan Ealey – UPDATE: Spikes Suspended for Eye Gouging, Civil Assault
Posted By Vicki McClure Davidson on November 2, 2009
The Biblical term “an eye for an eye” takes on a whole new significance, following Sunday’s video-captured, eye-gouging incident with Brandon Spikes of the Florida Gators digging past the face mask and into at least one eyeball socket of Georgia Bulldog player Washuan Easley.
Yes, it’s another “Hall of Shame” video capture of unsportsmanlike conduct… an embarrassing CFOYT: Captured Forever On YouTube thuggery moment (no audio with the video).
Florida Gator Brandon Spikes Eye Gouges Georgia Bulldog Washuan Ealey | Game played November 1, 2009
From Post Chronicle:
Arch-rivals the Florida Gators and the Georgia Bulldogs faced off in a very tense game. Despite the score ending at 41-17 for the Gators win, it didn’t stop some players from playing meaner than ever. According to reports, Brandon Spikes was caught eye gouging a Bulldog player.
Florida Coach Urban Meyer told reports, fans, and officials that he’d have a talk with Brandon Spikes behavior on the field during the game. It seems emotions were boiling over and because of that several unsportsmanlike penalties and confrontations took place.
According to the Miami Herald, “The incident occurred during a pile-up, and though Spikes was not flagged for the behavior, strong video evidence showed Spikes shoving his hand into Ealey’s facemask. On Sunday during his weekly post-game conference call, Meyer indicated that he was unaware of the eye-gouging…”
Los Angeles Times, Brandon Spikes eye-gouging video:
Does noted humanitarian Tim Tebow know this is going on? During Saturday’s victory over Georgia, Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes was caught by TV cameras eye-gouging an opponent.
You have the No. 1 team in the country and you feel the need to try to blind your opponent? Really classy.
From Online Athens:
Video from CBS’ broadcast of Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes apparently gouging the eyes of Georgia running back Washuan Ealey after a play has created a stir. “I’ll talk to him today,” Florida coach Urban Meyer said Sunday. “He’s a real emotional player and if that’s the case, I’ll have a very serious talk with him.” Richt said he didn’t see the incident during the game or on video. “I did have someone bring it to my attention that they thought that might have happened,” he said. “I don’t want to make any kind of comment.”
UPDATE:
From Examiner: Florida’s Brandon Spikes suspended for eye gouging (video)
Florida coach Urban Meyer has taken action against a star linebacker over a flagrant personal foul and an arguable civil assault.
Meyer has suspended Brandon Spikes for the first half of Saturday’s game against Vanderbilt due to attempted eye gouging of Georgia running back Washaun Ealey.
According to the coach, Spikes was retaliating after getting his eye poked earlier in the game.
Spikes returned for his senior season instead of entering the NFL draft.
The Southeastern Conference will look at replays of the incident. NCAA rules allow conferences to suspend players after the fact for flagrant personal fouls.
Half a game suspension? Why “half” a game? Is that like “half a spank” or “half a detention”? Did Spikes lose having dessert after dinner, too?
Wimpy, wrist-tapping suspension for a blatant thug attack… not what I expected. Maybe Spikes had to actually BLIND Ealey to be suspended for the full game.
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Thanks for this post – this really is an awful incident, and I hadn’t heard about it at all. The lukewarm reaction makes me wonder where people’s priorities are.
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