Stay classy Grantham

[Threepac Daddy]

Did Todd Grantham’s competitive spirit just push him over the line. Or is there a simple explanation for this picture?

Grantham, Georgia’s defensive coordinator, was shown seemingly giving the “choke” sign before Florida’s Chas Henry lined up to attempt a winning field goal in Saturday’s game in Jacksonville. Attempts to reach Grantham since this morning have been unsuccessful. Georgia sports information director Claude Felton said Grantham has been in meetings all day and can’t be reached. We’ll have an update later, hopefully with a comment/explanation from Grantham or coach Mark Richt.

A TV screen grab from the Florida sports cable network “Sun Sports” shows Grantham on the sideline, looking out onto the field, with his hand on his throat. The scoreboard graphic indicates that the game is tied 31-31 in overtime and has the words, “36 yard FG attempt,” which is when Henry and the Florida field goal team were on the field. Henry made the kick and the Gators won, 34-31. The photo has been circulating on Florida fan message boards.

Now, it would be understandable if Grantham thought, “Choke!” or “Miss it!” in his head. It wouldn’t even be surprising a Georgia player yelled, “Choke!” or grabbed his neck.

But for a 44-year-old college coach to be grabbing his neck when a 21-year-old is lining up for a field goal? That would be a bit much. It would be over the line — certainly not to the point of when Woody Hayes punched a Clemson player in the 1978 Gator Bowl, but excessive nonetheless.

As if Florida needed any more motivation in this series, right? The Gators have dominated for the last two decades (winning 18 of 21). The only Georgia win since Urban Meyer arrived in Gainesville came in 2007, when the entire Bulldogs team left the sideline to celebrate a touchdown in the end zone. The Gators used that and the loss itself as motivation for the following year when the teams met again. Florida won 49-10.

Grantham was hired from the Dallas Cowboys to replace the fired Willie Martinez and given a three-year contract worth $750,000 per year. The Dogs rank sixth in scoring defense and fourth in total defense in the SEC. They allowed 31 points to a Gators team had scored only one touchdown in a 10-7 loss to Mississippi State.

http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2010/11/01/did-grantham-give-florida-kicker-the-choke-sign/

Edited November 1, 2010 by Threepac Daddy

[Ransack]

I've seen him do it calling in plays this year. Dunno what his reasoning was for this one...

By the way pot meet kettle....

[Mr Pickle1]

Not sure I get it? This is certainly less classless than the late timouts last year from Meyer.

I see someone absolutely into the game, wanting a win. BTW, a 21 year old is an adult. This article attempts to highlight his age as if it is Grantham mocking a child.

Seriously, I really don't get it. Is there a single coach or player or fan of UGA who wasn't wanting him to choke and miss the easy kick? No, of course not. He's simply being outwardly honest, and not in a way that in ANY way harms or insults the kicker.

The author says "it is over the line" without actually explaining what the fundamental difference is between thinking it, and making the choking sign, particularly in the context of an OT rivalry game where emotions are at a fever pitch. Shoddy piece of journalism.

[CalDawg]

There's a lot of interpretation going on there to be making comments like "stay classy". Jeff Schultz tries very hard to manufacture controversy about UGA, and that's definitely the case here.

[DefenseWinzCliche]

I'm pretty sure it's a signal they give. He's doing that choke signal all game long. Along with the throat slash.

[ChuyDawg]

CTG should have just yelled out loud.

TIME TO CHOKE, BIAAAAAATCH!!!!!!!

UF fans are my favorite fans.

[Dawgy]

You're all wrong. He was just advising Rainey on how to approach his next victim without using any words.

[Freight Train Jones]

You're all wrong. He was just advising Rainey on how to approach his next victim without using any words.

Post of the day.

[Carter]

Are Florida fans seriously making a big deal out of Grantham grabbing his own neck? How is this "classless" at all?

Or is this just the latest episode of something having to be "classless" in regards to the Cocktail? It's something new every year.

Guess things are pretty boring in Gator country these days.

[Mr Pickle1]

I completely agree with this, except for the timeouts thing last year, because that was just awesome payback.

But I literally have zero problem with this at all.

What most surprises me is finding out that Chas Henry is only 21 years old. As long as he has been at Florida I would have guessed at least 34.

I'll take issue with one thing you said though. There is absolutely a fundamental difference in thinking something and doing something. I would love nothing more than to punch the lady that works next to me. I never do it though for obvious reasons.

Maybe I'll get Rainey to text her. TIME TO STOP ANSWERING THE PHONE LIKE THE FAT CHICK FROM OFFICE SPACE, *****!

But yeah, in the context of a football game sure, there's not a whole lot I find wrong with it.

I don't have a problem with the TO's either, I was just saying, if you have a problem with this, you should have more of a problem with that, lol.

[Mr Pickle1]

I completely agree with this, except for the timeouts thing last year, because that was just awesome payback.

But I literally have zero problem with this at all.

What most surprises me is finding out that Chas Henry is only 21 years old. As long as he has been at Florida I would have guessed at least 34.

I'll take issue with one thing you said though. There is absolutely a fundamental difference in thinking something and doing something. I would love nothing more than to punch the lady that works next to me. I never do it though for obvious reasons.

Maybe I'll get Rainey to text her. TIME TO STOP ANSWERING THE PHONE LIKE THE FAT CHICK FROM OFFICE SPACE, *****!

But yeah, in the context of a football game sure, there's not a whole lot I find wrong with it.

I think I didn't follow through with my thought correctly, and thank you for catching it. I meant to limit this to instances where:

1. Physical contact is not initiated.

2. Letting the person know your true feelings isn't going to freak them out.

So basically where it is a communication, and not an action. I'm not okaying Grantham going on the field and pulling a choke slam on Henry. Although it would be wonderful to watch, THAT is going too far. But letting Henry know he absolutely wants him to choke and miss it? Thumbs up.

[Red Bandana]

It looks like he's sayin "shiiii.."

[Born Again Georgian]

Man a lot of you guys are really sensitive. Who cares? It's not like he was poking out someone's eyes in the pile...

[Billy Ocean]

He is doing it behind Richt's back. Maybe he's saying Richt choked another one away.

Edited November 1, 2010 by Billy Ocean

[itsjustafleshwound]

They win the game that we handed to them and they still have to complain about something. That is not directed at all Florida fans, just a good few of them.

By the way, I've seen that play signal ALL year.

[jtcrews75]

Umm even if the man was screaming at the top of his lungs at henry to choke who gives a ****. Every dawg wanted that bearded turd to choke so I see no problem with it at all. Wasn't nearly as bad as the things I was yelling at the moment.

[tjb]

Must be a slow "news" day at the AJC. Another fine piece of journalism, courtesy of those wonderful writers(sic) at the AJC. I really find it hard to believe the AJC is struggling, with such riveting stories.

It'd be one thing if he was flipping him off or mooning him. Big freakin' deal. I'm glad he's showing a little fire and emotion. If Willie was still DC, he'd be jumping for joy that we even made it to overtime, instead of being down by 30+.

[Andrew]

[CrimsonKat]

They win the game that we handed to them and they still have to complain about something. That is not directed at all Florida fans, just a good few of them.

By the way, I've seen that play signal ALL year.

Is the playcall ... "You are going to [bleeping] choke!"? Because that is what Grantham said according to those who have watched the video.

The truth is that, if this was anybody but a Georgia coach, they would be getting lambasted right now on this board. Anybody who says otherwise is simply not being objective.

[Deacon 13]

Is the playcall ... "You are going to [bleeping] choke!"? Because that is what Grantham said according to those who have watched the video.

The truth is that, if this was anybody but a Georgia coach, they would be getting lambasted right now on this board. Anybody who says otherwise is simply not being objective.

If that is what he said, then I agree that it is unacceptable. But a UF fan saying a UGA coach isn't "classy" after UM reinstates Rainey after what he did is a bit rediculous.

By the way, has anyone seen the video? I'd just like to see it and make my own judgement. But the pic doesn't look so good.

[Deacon 13]

Of course UM cheering going into halftime, like the game was already over, ain't very "classy" either.

[clemumo82]

Is the playcall ... "You are going to [bleeping] choke!"? Because that is what Grantham said according to those who have watched the video.

The truth is that, if this was anybody but a Georgia coach, they would be getting lambasted right now on this board. Anybody who says otherwise is simply not being objective.

Agreed, and wondering about some of the logic in this thread. Just because Florida has done some questionable things, it's ok to be just as big of an *** too...

[Dawgy]

I suppose my standards are different, but assuming it is true, I am completely OK with it. Actually, I find it a little funny- whether CTG did it or if another team's coach did it.

[CrimsonKat]

Here is a video clip ... Grantham gives choke sign to Henry

Per Schultz, Pat Dooley of the Gainesville Sun wrote this on Twitter earlier tonight: “Just checked the CBS broadcast again. Todd Grantham grabs his neck and says “You’re gonna bleepin’ choke. You’re gonna choke” to Henry. Chas Henry said in the postgame interview with Tracy Wolfson that Georgia coaches were telling him that he was gonna choke.

[CrimsonKat]

I suppose my standards are different, but assuming it is true, I am completely OK with it. Actually, I find it a little funny- whether CTG did it or if another team's coach did it.

Yeah, I am sure if it was Meyer, Petrino, or Saban, all of the Georgia fans would be asking what the big deal is. Heck, Georgia fans cried for days three years ago when, at a team practice, Alabama's strength coach said "Georgia is wearing black because they are going to a [bleeping] funeral."