UGA Benches Seventeen Players For Violations (UGA's Latest Woes)

Atlanta Journal & Constitution ^ | 05/15/03 | Mark Schlabach

[kcordell]

UGA benches 17 players for violations

By MARK SCHLABACH Atlanta Journal-Constitution Staff Writer

Seventeen University of Georgia football players have been suspended or declared ineligible to play, and the Bulldogs could be without as many as seven projected starters when the defending SEC champions open their season against Clemson on Aug. 30.

The breakdown: Nine players have been declared ineligible for selling their 2002 SEC championship rings, four players have been suspended for violations of unspecified team rules and five players were suspended last month after being arrested on charges of marijuana possession. Cornerback Tim Jennings, one of the players suspended in the marijuana case, was among the players declared ineligible for selling his ring.

"I'm always concerned about [being shorthanded]," Georgia football coach Mark Richt said, "but we've got to do what we've got to do with discipline. We've got to do what gets the players' attention. I hope it doesn't cost us a game."

The other players declared ineligible for selling their rings are receivers Michael Johnson and Fred Gibson, cornerbacks Kenny Bailey and Bruce Thornton, defensive tackle Darrius Swain, nose tackle Kedric Golston, linebacker Tony Taylor and walk-on Trey Young.

Georgia will appeal to the NCAA to restore the players' eligibility. It was unclear how many games, if any, the players will miss.

In 2000, former Kentucky basketball player Myron Anthony sold his 1998 NCAA championship ring on eBay for $7,100 after transferring to Texas Christian University. Anthony played the following season for the Horned Frogs and was not suspended by the NCAA, a TCU spokesman said.

The Georgia Athletic Association has recovered the rings the Bulldog players sold. The players will be required to make restitution for the money they received from the sale of their rings.

One unidentified individual bought the rings from the players for various amounts, UGA compliance director Amy Chisholm said. The buyer is not a Bulldog booster, she said.

Richt suspended four players for violations of unspecified team rules, the school announced: running back Tyson Browning, defensive back B.J. Fields, fullback Chris Hickman and linebacker Jamario Smith. All but Browning were suspended for one game; he was suspended for three.

In April, Richt suspended five players for at least the first two games after their arrests on charges of marijuana possession: Jennings, wide receiver Bryan McClendon, defensive back DeMario Minter, wide receiver Mario Raley and offensive lineman Randall Swoopes.

Swoopes has transferred to Georgia Military College but could be allowed to transfer back to the University of Georgia, the university said.

All five players were given pretrial diversion May 6 in Athens Municipal Court. Pretrial diversion is for first offenders and requires them to do community service work.

Former Georgia offensive tackle Jon Stinchcomb, a captain on last year's team, said he was surprised that some of his teammates sold their rings so quickly. Richt had spoken to the players several times about not selling them, Stinchcomb said.

"He said it's sad to see that there are always a couple of guys that sell their rings," the former player said.

[TheBattman]

Sounds like a team of future Dallas Cowboy players....!

[Teacher317]

"I'm always concerned about [being shorthanded]," Georgia football coach Mark Richt said, "but we've got to do what we've got to do with discipline. We've got to do what gets the players' attention. I hope it doesn't cost us a game."

Good for Coach Richt. I just wish he had left out that last line. He should be more concerned with the student-athletes than his winning percentage.

[N. Theknow]

Good for Coach Richt. I just wish he had left out that last line.

Unfortunately, that is all that matters regarding his coaching job. Discipline and graduation rates make for nice copy in the editorial sections but don't mean a thing when it comes to a coach's job.

And I am guilty of looking at won/loss as much as anyone when it comes to college coaches.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

One unidentified individual bought the rings from the players for various amounts, UGA compliance director Amy Chisholm said. The buyer is not a Bulldog booster, she said.

Probably a drug dealer.

[gunnedah]

This is where sports and entertainment has taken America.

[WhiskeyPapa]

Well, I'm a graduate and partisan of that great state university in Knoxville, and I grinned for a moment over this, but I think Coach Richt is a class act. This is all really a shame, and you can't really blame the coach or the institution when you have the factors working in college athletics that are there.

The coach has GOT to win; he's got to get the best players, and their moral underpinnings often are the odd factor out.

Walt

[WhiskeyPapa]

I would think that a lot of these players were recruited by the previous coach, Donnan.

Walt

[TennTuxedo]

The players involved show a total lack of respect for what the rings signify, a Champion. What does this say about the school that recruited these kids? Do you think that coaching staff is reaching them with the message of "what being a champion means"? I don't think so.

[BIGZ]

All scored 1600 on their SAT tests. Must have received their education in Shreveport.

They could get a job at the NY Times, all they would have to do is copy.

[AdA$tra]

Who owns the stupid rings anyway? Are they not their's to do with as they please? I guess not.

[Enterprise]

That was my thought too. If the players own the rings, they should be free to sell them, like any other itme they own. That being said, it is sad that they didn't cherish the rings.

[kcordell]

Who owns the stupid rings anyway?

I'm not sure this is the point. Everyone is talking about here in North Ga.. I think it has something to do the contracts they signed but, I didn't hear all of it.

[over3Owithabrain]

Well, UGA makes millions off of these players, so does Coach Richt. Most of these guys remain in poverty for the 4 years of college. If they want to sell THEIR ring that THEY earned, big deal. Cheesy and classless, maybe, but neither the NCAA, UGA, or Richt have a right to condemn them, since they are making big bucks themselves off of the talents of these players.

[Ga Rob]

In my opinion this is just another case that shows charecter matters. Over the last 12 months there have been numerous incidents involving the athletic program at UGA. Rapes, Drugs and now this. When my cousin was recruited to play baseball for Auburn in the 70's, they not only cared about his athletic ability, they also cared about his grades and his charecter, they checked him out very heavily. I'm sure that does not happen anymore...that's why we have a bunch of thugs playing college and professional sports. Just another thing that shows that the lefts social engineering in this country is for one end and one end alone...to break down the charecter of the youth and over time hope that the country they HATE falls over from all the dead weight.

[Ga Rob]

These palyers cannot profit from the collegite careers while they are still eligible to play. That's the RULES!!! Are the rules in life fair?? Well hell I guess not...but that's life. You would think someone playing college sports would at least be tough enough to know that.

As far as the colleges and the coaches making millions off of these players...that's just another freakin' excuse!! These players are getting a great education for free...if they choose to squander that education and the benfits they get from being an alumni/player that's their fault.

I am a UGA fan...have been my whole life!! Do I want a player like Gibson on the sidelines for any games...hell no, but rules are rules.

[over3Owithabrain]

So you get your bread and circuses, the university gets millions of bucks - and the players get an "education"? Riiiight. You really think UGA gives a flying hoot about these guys' academic prowess?

Yep, I know those are the rules, but the system is crooked as Clinton's ****. For the school, it's coaches or the NCAA to act above it all is hypocrisy in the highest. Richt or Adams or the NCAA honchos don't have to live in the hood and watch their moms work 3 jobs. They just make the rules, that's all.

[Ga Rob]

Let me ask you something....why the hell is it the coaches job to "care" about the players?? Is it the coaches fault that the players Moms are having to work 3 jobs in the hood?? I guess their welfare ran out? How is that the coaches and the NCAA are all of a sudden the bad guys...for enforcing rules?? What about the players responsibility?? It's always someone else's fault for "my" bad behavior and misjudgements...whoa is me!!!!

Are the players not being given the oppertunity to get an education? I think they are. Are they taking advantage of that to it's fullest possibilities...of course not. Why?? Because they have an entitlement mentality that's why. "I'm a badass ball player, I can do anything I want...I'm not accountble. Thank GOD Coach Richt is there...finally enforcing rules and holding people accountable.

[over3Owithabrain]

Didn't say the players weren't "at fault" - just seems kinda dumb and hypocritical to punish them for selling their own rings when the players themselves are being sold by the school.
Also, Richt didn't enforce this rule and mete out punishment, the NCAA did, Richt has no choice but to abide.
Lastly, I live in GA too but not a Dawg-worshipper (shoulda known better than to tangle with one though) :)
Nothing personal, my good man, I just don't stomach well the whole system of big-time college sports. That said, I have my weaknesses too - I really enjoy watching ACC basketball, especially if Duke loses.

[Enterprise]

The NCAA and the colleges respond with the argument that they are providing an expensive education and that should be enough for the players. Well, if education were the truth of sports scholarships, then the athletes should be required to maintain a 3.0 average and require all athletes to take tough academic courses. Those that can't cut it should be thanked and released. That being said, I made the point on a sports talk show a few years ago that the student athletes bring in billions of dollars that support Television, sports personnel of various levels, and their own colleges. Sure, the athletes are provided an expensive education, but they still deserve some sort of stipend. One point of confusion, I must admit, does the college provide the sports scholarships or is that left to the booster groups? If the sports scholarships are provided by booster organizations, then the colleges have no argument about how valuable the education is, because someone else is paying for it.