Florida LB Brandon Spikes to miss entire Vanderbilt game

After meeting with Florida coach Urban Meyer Tuesday night and expressing concern that his presence on the field Saturday night could be a serious distraction for the Gators, Florida LB Brandon Spikes will sit out the entire Vanderbilt game following the controversy surrounding his tackle of Georgia RB Washaun Ealey in last week's game against the Bulldogs.

On Monday, Spikes was suspended by Meyer for one half of Saturday's upcoming game against Vanderbilt. But Meyer said following Wednesday's practice that the decision was made to keep Spikes out the game out of concern for the team. 

"I really don't want to be a distraction to the team," Spikes said Wednesday night. "I want the guys to prepare without any negative things going on and I feel like if I would play, it would be a big thing going on. I'm just trying to stay out of the way and just motivate the guys. I'm pretty sure that (Ryan) Stamper got my back, and my teammates really support this decision.''

Spikes was captured on a YouTube video sticking his fingers inside Ealey's facemask at the end of a tackle. Video posters called it "eye gouging'' and national media attacked Meyer for making the suspension just one-half of a game.

But Ealey said on Tuesday that Spikes didn't try to gouge at his eyes and that he didn't think the senior should have been suspended. Meyer said the decision was at Spikes'  request.

"Brandon came to see us last night, coach Strong and myself, and a lot of the negative things out there were really weighing heavy on his heart right now, and so we thought that as a group we decided the best interest just for the team to not play him Saturday,'' Meyer said. "It was a group decision and we're doing it out of respect to our team so we can focus on trying to win our ninth game. And we think it's the right thing to do. We support Brandon fully and we look forward to get back and finish the season the right way.''

 

Comments

[Glenn]

It is interesting how people have to have something to complain about to disrupt a team they don't like. When Tebow was poked in the eye and had to wash his eye it was just an accident but when a player wearing an eye shield appears to get poked in the eye it is a gouge. The player even said that he wasn't trying to gouge my eyes and didn't come close to my eyes. Brandon Spikes is a quality player. It is sad that he had to take himself out of the entire game because of the controversy. May God Bless him and the rest of the Gators.

[Glenn]

perhaps Nick williams accidential blind side helmet to helmet block long after the hand off, that was ok. Williams was four or five yards away when he say Tebow standing watching the play down field, so he ran at him and launched into his upper body knocking down. often when bodies are flying around a tackle and someone is blocked into some one else they get an unnecessary roughness penalty.

[what]

somthing does not smell right here.

[BullBro]

That was a chump move by Spikes on the field, but at least he's steping up and taking responsiblity, for that I applaud him. Any Gator Fan who defends what he did in Jacksonville should be ashamed. I have a lot of respect for the UF program, but something feels wrong about this football team right now. The results are there, but I wouldn't be to proud about how the results are coming.

[The Truth]

What is being ridiculously overlooked in all the hype regarding Meyer's "criticism' of the no-call on Williams' thug-mugging/super-late hit of Tebow, is that just because the SEC commish CAN suspend/fine doesn't means he HAS to. The rule was given teeth because that clown Kiffin was breaking it every week, therefore, since Kiffin and Mullen and Petrino have all been given at least one chance/reprimmand, how ludicrous would it be to suspend/fine Meyer for his first offense? Justice implies equality in application: give Meyer the same reprimmand that Kiffin and Mullen and Petrino got. He's a first offender. Punish him accordingly.

[GatorSphere]

BullBro, did you stop and think about this. UF was #1 since the end of last year. Everything done is under a high-powered microscope. When you're made #1 it's because you're believed to be the best. So naturally, people want #1 to fail. I am not, nor have I at any time defended Spikes. But what if UF was say, #20 at 5-2 and the game was on the SEC Network at noon. Fewer viewers, less scrutiny but the same offense occurs. What then? Just food for thought.

[Sandro]

If somebody did that to Tebow what Spikes did to the Georgia RB, Mayer would be calling for that guy to get suspended for the rest of the year. The only reason why Spikes is not playing this game is because it’s Vandy and they know even with their 3rd sting they could beat them. If Florida was playing Alabama this weekend they would not even suspend him for a serious.

[GatorSphere]

Sandro, I assume you meant "series". At any rate, someone did do to Tebow what Spikes tried to do to Ealey. If you saw the game then you'd know it was done b/c Tebow had to get his eye washed out on the sidelines. Unless of course you want to conspire to say that was a rouse for an eye-gouging attempt later in the game.

Care to reply?

[The Truth]

Great job, Gatorsphere, as usual. Accurate and to the point.

[Jesse]

Urban Cryer didn't discipline his player correctly but the player saw the light. Urban would play anyone to win. Univ. of Felons

[Free Shoes University]

Jesse-When it comes to you and the Noles, Meyer only smiles. Six in a row coming up. You are all talk. The Gators own you. You are nothing but a jealous Gator hating tool! Which one of your players will Tebow run over this year?

[UF ~ NEVER wire to wire - lol]

Dirty players never win - the punishment was sooo light Spikes suspended himself!!! hahhahaaaaaahahhahaaaaaa - whew - - hahahhaaaaaaa

A NATIONAL JOKE ON ESPN ! ! THEY ARE KILLIN YOU ON TV - I LOVE THAT!!

[Sandro]

You must be smoking something Glenn thinking that those two plays are the same. Spikes could have ended that guy’s career and you want to compare that to a push in the back. Wow you better watch the game again or get yourself some glasses.
GatorSphere that stuff was not nearly as bad as Spikes because it was not done on purpose. I do understand that sometimes you get guys putting fingers in your eyes by trying to make a play but not like Spikes, that play was over when Spikes came in and he didn’t even look to make a play.
UF is the last school in any sport that needs to be complaining about the refs because if it was not for the refs UF would have at least one for sure loss maybe even two so please no more complaining about refs from UF side. Just wait until Tebow leaves even the refs won’t help you escape a 7-5 season.

[Sandro]

You must be smoking something Glenn thinking that those two plays are the same. Spikes could have ended that guy’s career and you want to compare that to a push in the back. Wow you better watch the game again or get yourself some glasses.
GatorSphere that stuff was not nearly as bad as Spikes because it was not done on purpose. I do understand that sometimes you get guys putting fingers in your eyes by trying to make a play but not like Spikes, that play was over when Spikes came in and he didn’t even look to make a play.
UF is the last school in any sport that needs to be complaining about the refs because if it was not for the refs UF would have at least one for sure loss maybe even two so please no more complaining about refs from UF side. Just wait until Tebow leaves even the refs won’t help you escape a 7-5 season.

[Sandro]

You must be smoking something Glenn thinking that those two plays are the same. Spikes could have ended that guy’s career and you want to compare that to a push in the back. Wow you better watch the game again or get yourself some glasses.
GatorSphere that stuff was not nearly as bad as Spikes because it was not done on purpose. I do understand that sometimes you get guys putting fingers in your eyes by trying to make a play but not like Spikes, that play was over when Spikes came in and he didn’t even look to make a play.
UF is the last school in any sport that needs to be complaining about the refs because if it was not for the refs UF would have at least one for sure loss maybe even two so please no more complaining about refs from UF side. Just wait until Tebow leaves even the refs won’t help you escape a 7-5 season.

[Kiss the rings]

Good one Sandro. Since you can't beat us now, tell us how bad our future is going to be when Tebow leaves. How many excuses do you have for being a loser? You are the type of person who doesn't take any responsibility for your mistakes. You just play the victim card and blame others. Ah, are you gonna cry because you can't beat the Gators? I pity people like you.

[Sandro]

First of all "Kiss the rings" you could at least use a name and not come up with something stupid like that. Maybe you are so stupid that you don't even remember your name.
Second, I did not call anybody any names but if you want to call me some names go ahead but I can tell you something the reason why you hate me is because you know I am right about everything that I said. If you cannot handle a normal sports argument then you need to find something else to do with your loser life. My team has not even played the Gators and will not play them so there is nothing for me to cry about, I just made a statement based on sports fan view. I am not the only one who makes these comments. You ask anybody who is not a UF fan and they will tell you that what Spikes did was not right. My coworker is a UF alumni but he does not follow sports too much and when I showed him the Spikes incident he said that guy should be gone for some time. But only you thugs UF fans think what Spikes did is ok. I am not surprised why so many people hate UF. As I said earlier if you can not talk to me like a normal human being don't talk to me at all you stupid loser.

[Gatorfan]

Sandra:

They hate us because we're #1 and will be for quite awhile, and they know it!!!!

It's quite LONELY at the top....I mean think about it????....we have to continually deal with the "little people" whose lives are so meaningless that they have to go on blogs of teams they don't like to make themeslves feel important.....so I guess YOU feel important now....you've had your say, so go back to playing Warcraft and watching South Park!!!!

And make sure when you get up at 3:00 tomorrow you take out your mom's garbage, clean the kitchen and apply for your food stamps....it's the least you can still living at home at 40....

oh and since your getting up so late don't forget to tell the Mrs. to tape the "Springer Show" for yer!!!

[Free Shoes University]

Sandro-I didn't realize calling someone a stupid loser is proper behavior for a normal human being. Thank you for showing me how to be a normal human being. You are such a gift to humanity. I am not talking about Spikes. I was referring to you and all the other Gator haters who can't beat us, so you give your uneducated football opinion, and say a ridiculous statement like we are going to start losing five games per yr without Tebow. He is no doubt, the best quarterback we've ever had, but do you actually think the Gators are just going to suddenly stop recruiting the best athletes in the country because Tebow is graduating? Do you realize coach Meyer has one of the highest winning percentages among active coaches? People only hate the Gators because they are great. Some people hate what they can't conquer. So what team are you a fan of?

[Sandro]

Gatorfan,

You probably have some issues first of all my name is not Sandra it is Sandro but for people with special disabilities like you I will let it go. Please don't talk about my mom because I did not mention yours either. Don't make comments about somebody who is not talking to you or about you but since you probably grew up on the streets you don't know any different. It seems like you have issues reading as well because I never said Florida is not the number one team in the nation. Thank God this country has a lot of programs for special disabled people like you so please do everyone a favor and sign up. You will need reading sometimes in your loser life.

[Linda]

So Sandro, why are you so scared to name your team? Since we are #1, you really don't have too much too say, do you? You are a fan of some irrelevant team that can't complete with the Gators! Why do you waste your time going on a Gator blog, if you aren't a fan? Get a life!

[Gatorfan]

Sandra:

No, I got the NAME right. Must have hit pretty close to home for that kind of vitriolic response???

Look that up in your Funk & Wagnalls....LOL...

[Sandro]

Linda I do have a life and I am just a sports fan who likes to say his opinion just like everyone else does. Once it says on this blog only UF fans that I will not make any more posts here but until then it's open to everyone.

[Sandro]

Gatorfan,
I will look that up at the university where they teach that my name is Gatorfan ... LOL ...

[The Truth]

Sanbro: Get a life. And a name.