Eye gouging punishment doesn't fit the crime

Are you kidding? It's Florida! What would you expect?
Punishment? Another "good boy" sticker for his helmet until the video got out.

Tell the whole story about Spikes, Linebacker for the Gators. Within the first 5 minutes of play Spikes had his helmet ripped off twice , Georgia was caught by the Ref's once, camera twice, punishment 15 yards. Now what kind of punishment is that? They could have broke Spikes neck. What Spikes did in retailation stopped the dirty play but i feel he had to something the umpires turned a blind eye. Spikes punishment by Urban Meyer is fair and the NCAA agree.
Larry Covington
Holly Hill, Florida

I think that if you are suspended for a year for hitting (oregan-boise) than a player trying to blind someone should merit a little harsher punishment then 1/2 game?? Come on Florida you are the #1 team in the Nation act like it by example.

College football is NOT real war, despite the fantasy of some participants, it is a competitive sport with boundaries, rules and honor. The goal is to win by out-competing your opponent through skill and effort, not by cheating and intentionally injuring them. This reprehensible act of thuggery should have received the harshest sanction, but unfortunately the Florida Gators and the SEC itself apparently tacitly approve of this behavior with a light "slap-on-the-wrist" half-game suspension. Shame on them.

And for all the people who say its football well I played foot ball and if the coach is a good coach and teaches the players respect and sportsmanship things like this will not happen. richard/philly

Spike should be suspend for 2 games. Maybe he have to conduct himself that way for two game before being on suspenion. Like the SEC suspension on the Refs on bad calls for two game. Which Flordia really lost to Old Miss and the bad calls previous to that game. Why are the number 1 when the Refs are number 1.

Robert Bell, Flint, MI

I know football is a rough sport but c mon intentionaly try to poke another players eye or eyes is uncalled for and shoud not be tolerated in any sport. The Punishment shoud be a suspension for ever.

Here is a good one for cnn to follow up on. Remember to big lawsuit on Sodexho. No one follow up the case and this case remind in Sodexho and the employees rights they have set up is a jokes. This will be a good cover story and see how many people are still getting treat unfair. They don't care and promise their clients things they cannot hold accountable for.

OK if in hocky a player deliberately hurts another player it is a police matter (assult) what is going to happen if the Georga player presses assult charges aginst Spikes??? Which he could because under the description of assult it is a valid charge?????? phililly

I am appalled! Last time I checked eye gouging was not part of football. Spikes and his coach should both be suspended and if it happened again they would both be let go from the team. Why do we condone behavior like this. If this happened on the street it would be considered assault and he would be arrested! Behavior like this has no place in any sport!

Punishment not severe enough, for an “INTENTIONAL” poke in the eye. Even Marines have rules of war and conduct. What happened to teaching our children good sportsmanship.

Even if Florida was having their worst season ever the team would be better off without this player. Unsportsmanlike conduct should never be accepted from anyone in sports (coaches, players, refs or the waterboy).

We offer this player a smack on the hand and then we wonder how our children act like they do. Consider the future of our children. Say it to them “This kind of conduct is not acceptable!”

Lonewolf/USMC

WHAT ABOUT THESE 3 ATHLETES:

1-MICHAEL VICK'S BRUTALITY TOWARDS DOGS

2-NFL PLAYER DRIVING DRUNK AND KILLED MAN IN MIAMI

3-OREGON DUCK PLAYER PUNCHING OTHER PLAYER

Let's all put the "Spikes incident" into perspective – football is a dirty game and yes, he should be punished, but let's quit blowing it out of proportion!!!!

College football in division one is about money and nothing else. Brandon Spikes should be removed from the Florida football team for the remainder of the year, post season included. If coach Urban Meyer does anything less than this then he has no credibility on any character issue from this point forward. The only reason Spikes is being allowed to continue to play is to help Florida get to the BCS championship game so they can make as much money as possible for Meyer and the University of Florida.

Suspended half of a game for attempted eye gouging? One can only guess he would get a full game suspention if he succeeded!

Spikes should be off the team. There is no place for mentality like his on the field. Play by the rules or you're gone.

This vicious behavior is just a hangover from the streets. Poor sportsmanship and a need to hurt someone. Not far removed from the ear biting in the ring.

It's great that this was caught on video. What would we have said and done if the individual getting his eyes gouged had permanent damage to his eyes or his eyesight? His career could have been over and much more serious impact to his life as he knows it today. I'm sorry, but this is not what sports or football is about.

No way the punishment reflects the poor sportsmanship and behavior.

Spikes is a thug and should be suspended for the rest of the season. Is it really worth blinding someone to be #1? I think not.
Meyer should step up and be a man in this situation and do what's right.

i see the sec between this incident and recent officiating during gator games is trying to make sure florida gets back tto the national championship game.

Deliberately trying to blind an opposing player should be the end of your season if not your career. Failure to respond appropriately to these actions only condones and encourages the players to participate in further incidents of battery. This just shows once again that star athletes get a free pass whatever they do.

This eye gouging was a deliberate act, and at a minimum it is an assult. A half game suspension? This is as bad, if not worse than the Oregon player's punching a Boise State player. This is a clear case of punishment not adequate for the crime.

Disgraceful. Spikes should be suspended for the year. I wonder if anyone caught the black coach on the Ole Miss sidelines grabbing
his throat and telling his players ,"Rip his throat out" after a sack of the Auburn quarterback. These guys must go home and watch Roadhouse and masterbate after the game! Animals!!

That act was barbaric and criminal..
he should be in jail and charged for assault... coach should be there with him for accepting it and therefore being an accomplice ...
he was trying to end another young mans career and destroy his life...
After a lenghty jail term, he should have his eyes taped shut for a year to give him true understanding of his actions...
Coach should be fired for his condoning this type of play... If not done immediately, Florida should be stripped of all football privledges....
It's past time to take responsibility and be accountable for their actions....

What if he had succeeded in damaging his opponents eyes permanently? Will future acts like this be given a slap on the wrist? Will the NCAA compensate injuries because of this decision not to act further on punishment? It is saying that if I can win this game by permanently injuring you and get away with it, National Championship here I come.

As a former referee (20 years soccer) I have found that sportsmanship is on the decline in youth, college and adult games. Although not publicly condone by coaches and managers, it happens in every game. Just look closely at replays, its there every play. To win is the primary directive, even if it means injuring an opponent.

As a second generation GATOR, I am appalled at this behavior. My deepest question is whom is worse – the player or the coach. Spikes should not only face criminal charges but, at minimum, be suspended for the rest of the season, including the inevitable top bowl game for this #1 team. Coach Meyer should hand his head in disgrace over his light handling of this matter. I believe that UF should look at Coach Meyer's ability to lead students and teach sportsmanship, Being #1 is NOT the most important thing (though fun) at college.

I wonder if that's the only way they can win a game. His punishment should take into consideration he could "actually" blind someone. Shame on the coach for the ridiculous punishment and shame on the
conference for being "satisfied". He should be ousted for the remainder of the season . His apology means nothing and apparently he's been told "apologize to make it all go away." Players that have tactics like this, are nothing but thugs looking to be rewarded later.

Please, we live in a world where athletes are treated like Gods.....we have football players in jail, out of jail. We have tennis players discussing their illegal drug use. We have baseball players doing steriods and what happens to them...mostly nothing....a guy who is chop blocked goes after someone and pokes him in the eye....come on.

Granted he should not have done it but in the scheme of things today it is hardly worth mentioning....especially on a national sports show, must have been a really slow sports day.

Suspension for the first half of a game for an action that could have gouged an eye out or even worse, blinded for life!! Suspension for the rest of the year with anger management sessions would be more appropriate.

The NFL has set an unfortunately lax precedent by allowing convicted felons to continue to play in the league. Having suffered this kind of eye gouging in both high school and college football I believe the NCAA should at the very least suspend Spikes for the remainder of the season, including bowl game play, and he should surrender the year of eligibility.

Where are we going with resonsiblity for one's actions!!!

Some say it's football, not the opera. You have to be kidding !!
Trying to gouge out someone's eyes is not football or the opera or anything but a crime against another!! If I were the coach of anyone intentionally trying to do things as this, they are off the team for an extended time, NOT 1/2 of a game !!!!!!! and until that person proves that he can play the game as it is meant to be played. 1/2 game????? what does the coach, the school really care about...... $$$ and ratings and not the health of the players. I hope we have not lost sight of the games in sports for what they should be and not going out to hurt someone so they can not play and what could be long lasting injuries. Good sportmanship...?... is that what it is today ! Get real schools, sports !!

Brandon Spikes... Throw the BUM out and ALL OTHERS like him! What is THAT! You're out of here with that mentality and action – not acceptable. What are we teaching? Coaches, you are somewhat responsible for condoning. Win at all cost. What happened to – play your best and let the best team win. I don't get it anymore – the violence. Goes back to Paper Lion, maming, disfiguring, paralyzing, etc.; for the rest of their lives. What are they thinking – short attention, just on THE GAME! Some guys just have that viciousness as part of their personality – G E T T H E M O U T O F T H E R E, NOW! Disguested, since a lot of people work hard at their craft and you get some bruiser who comes along and muscles his way to win. Come on! Someone on top with clout should pursue this and change the mentality of play. Who is it going to be? Who has the B _ _ _ S to do what is right?

I played Base Ball in school and am very competitive but would never do anything on perpuse to hurt someone. I live in Texas now but lived many years by Michigan State and saw many of the same type in things going on at there school and they seemed to get the same type of lax punishment. Maybe that is why there are somany problems with our kids today. They are not taught respect for others but instead taught that winning is everything. Yes winning is great but its the fun and friendships that builds and forms our life. What ever happend to playing the game for fun. Tomany of these college players are looking to make it big in the pro's. Hell most of the pro players dont play for the fun of it they play for the millions of dollars. They have forgot why they even started to play the game. I think the player on Florida should be suspended for the rest of the season and maybe go to some classes.

Spike's intentional & potentially serious eye-gouging is disgusting & despicable. It's clear that he was trying to injure the other players vision. Spike's caveman behavior should be dealt with accordingly. He should be suspended to set a respectable example. I thought the Gators had more class that that. Guess I was wrong.

Rafer, great well rounded article!

It looks to me that Spikes' grossly over obvious act was in retribution. I only say this to back up what you mention that they all do it. I agree with most, that when you are caught there needs to be a fair punishment, Coach Meyer really missed it.

On the lighter side, the eye gouging needs to be trimmed back as well as the pinching. From my short time in NCAA 1AA, the pinching hurt like HELL! It's begins like how your sister would get just a small piece of skin between the thumb and index finger but add the strength of a gorilla, Man, I'll take an eye gouge.

Chris

Half a game suspension. What a shock. It is obvious that this player is needed. This guy needs to go thru anger management. He has a problem with frustration. I wonder if I would even have a job, or be in jail, or sued if I was to try this on someone who frustrates me.

He's not 'GOUGING' He is RUBBING OIL In the other players eyes so he cant see, its a common practice, half a game is all thats necessary. It probably happened to the Florida team as well that game but no one else got caught. So I'm glad the officials know whats going on and the correct punishment to give since so many people that have never played the game at a college or professional level want to comment ignorantly. Honestly, your favorite player has most likely done the same thing at some point in time...

Southlake, TX.

This is clearly a criminal offense...it is a serious assault...it could have resulted in serious damage to one or both eyes. The offending player, I am not in the least interested in learning his name...SHOULD BE ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH ASSAULT! I remember being bit in the leg during a high school football game. The fact that one cannot defend oneself against the offender, because of so many bodies on top of players at the bottom of the pile, is an aggravating factor to the offense. Thus, the offending player is also a COWARD, because he knew the victim had no way of defending himself or of knowing which player, exactly, had assaulted him. Furthermore, the offender was acting based on the anonymity syndrome...he had complete confidence his act was hidden within the mass of other players involved in the tackle. Another positive result of cameras and videos...not just for bad cops!

Unbelievable! Another thing to teach our children who look up to & admire athletes! 1/2 a game suspension isn't even close to the correct punishment!

This is an assault, and should be treated as such. That is NOT sports, that is street fighting. What kind of message are we sending to everyone if we allow this?

As an Alabama Fan/SEC Fan, this act is dispicable...the punishment he got doesn't say much for their team or coaching staff. I wonder how CBS and Vern will handle the actions of this FL player, they show utterly DisRespect for AL and other teams when FL is playing, they hold them up on a pedestal. Just watch & Listen to CBS commontaters when they carry SEC teams that are playing while FL is on another network...I bet ONE Word won't be mentioned by Vern.

I think that was wrong and dirty, what if his eyes was become affected later on, eyes are very serious you cannot play blind correct. I think he should get punished a little more.

This is sportsmanship? Should the concept be redefined?
Shame, Shame, Shame! There are plenty of ways to be injured that are inherent in the game. Reminds me of the Tanya Harding incident.
Criminal charges should be filed for assault. This is not the way the sport should be played and is not what I want the public to observe as acceptable behavior.

I think the punishment is enough.I also believe the players should all have eye protection to limit eye injuries.If I remember right Brandon Spikes had his eyes gouged too.

unbelieveable that he is still playing theres no appolygy for that only because he got caught it was a dilebrate act to harm someone clear intension to take the gouged player out of game his season would be overrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

I think it is deplorable that another player can viciously attack another especially when he was down on the ground after being tackled. I don't beleive that a half game suspension is sufficient punishment for an assault of this type.What would the punishment be if he had managed to gouge his eyes ? I think at the very least he should have been suspended for the rest of the season.

AS Belize C.A.

Hockey fights were considered "part of the game" until charges were filed. This player could have been blinded. A half game suspension is a slap on the wrist. Players are suspended for illegal hits that can harm someone for a whole season. This is no different.

Spikes is a member of the reigning Nation Championship football team – so much for a role model. Of course, if it has come to the point of only being able to win by playing dirty the Florida Gators should always be #1. As usual, the penalty does not fit the crime.

Player should get an award for "Poor Sportsmanship." Also, he should receive a much harsher suspension, like the rest of the year!

This player that wants to gouge out a players eyes needs to be suspended for the remainder of the year. What knid of an example are we showing our kids in highschool football. Mark in Cadiz, Ky

I personally like the Gators, but this is very poor sportmanship. I don't think the punishment does fit the crime. I mean they are penalized for dancing when they make a touch down alot harder then this and he could have taken the other players sight. Is this what the coaches are teaching today? Alot of young boys/ men look up to these players like heros; do they want the responsiblity of showing the younger generation how it's ok to hurt someone and then just say "I'm Sorry"? I think he should be suspened for the entire season and fined if possible. They should also call him Spikes the cheat.

This is a sporting event. What this guy did was NOT sporting. This was clearly a premeditated, intentional, malicious attempt to inflict serious injury on another player. If I had the authority and caught a player doing something so blatant as that, especially on a college team, they would be finished for the season. This is not an example of a good sportsman or a proper penalty.

Brandon Spikes should be suspended for the remainder of the season and not allowed to play in any bowl games. What he did was assault and has no place in football.

When the player from Oregon sucker punched an opponent, the player (a senior) was suspended for the entire season. Caught trying to blind another player, the Florida gator player was suspended for a half of a game. Is this not a direct reflection of the integrity of each University? It may be time for NCAA disparity when it comes to crime and punishment.

What does Washaun Ealey say about all this?
Brandon Spikes should be kicked out of football. What if Ealey was seriously injured? The punishment does not fit the CRIME.

Gator fan no loger.

Urban Meyer should be fired!!!! This is the #1 team and they should ack like it. The coach of Colorado suspended a player for punching, Les Miles kicked a quarterback off the team because of nothing more than being stupid!!! And that hurt the team.... Florida is to good to be punished???? REALLY?? SEC, NCAA, and the law need to wake up!!
Is this the cost of winning? Someones eye sight? I will never feel the same about Florida football, they are noy ranked in my eyes!!!!!!!

The punishment was woefully inadequate. However, the fact that this practice is not the exception is a more serious matter. How do we more effectively prevent incidents like this in the future?

Even our 6 year old daughter knows, if she were to knowingly tried to harm her younger sister or anyone else for that matter. Even while they were playing could not get away with just saying sorry. Se knows there would be consequences. Obviously the eye gouging was intentional. These atheletes are supossed to be role models. They should set an example! Sorry doesn't work we tell our daughter if you were sorry you wouldn't have done it! Sorry is for when something accidently happened. This was no accident!

The player from Florida should be suspended for the rest of the season. The Georgia player could have been blinded by this. As NURSE ANESTHETIST, i HAVE SEEN MANY CASES IN SURGERY FROM SOMETHING BEING STUCK INTO THE EYE. This is no different.Shame on the Florida coach.

If the college players can't play "A Game" morally correct, what makes you think they will conduct their future life any better.

Suspending that player for only a half a game is a joke. This says alot about the coaching staff.

I completely agree with Rafer in that there should be a much stiffer punishment, i.e, a minimum suspension of at least the remainder of the season. But again the management people at the University of Florida are more concerned for their season record and their standings and the BCS money they will get than for the integrity of the school. Again a player can do wrong and no punishment is handed down. What I can't understand is this, if Spikes were suspended for the remainder of the season does that mean Florida would lose the reaminder of their games. I don't believe that the UF bases their winning on one player, or does it.

These players in major sports are continuously doing things wrong and there are never severe enough punishments that fit the crime, it is like the world is saying that they are prima-donnas and have a right to possibly permanently injure another player. He got caught, so did Richard Nixon, he needs to pay the penalty for it and one half of a game is not a punishment.

I believe any player that does this kind of behavior should be ejected from the game and suspended for the rest of the season. A clear message needs to be sent to the rest of the players that this type of behavior will not be tolerated.

Meyer's suspension of Spikes over the eye gouging incident is simply UF thumbing their nose at the NCAA and SEC. Unfortunately, this is typical of big time colleges and athletes. They are always above the law and it is expected that the public worship them as gods and idols. What Spikes did was not only immoral, but a criminal felony act.

The childish response of "Well, he did it first" reminds me of pre-schoolers finger pointing at each other after throwing mud pies against the wall. At least those children would have been taught a lesson about right and wrong no matter who did it first. But it appears such is not the case at UF.

permanent revocation from all sports. some serious counseling. a lawsuit for assault against him.

Spkies should be kickked off the team. The SEC commisioner should take this action. It's tremendiuos horrible for Tim Tebow to condone this action.....I dont need to hear another word about him being a big Christian and his family's missionary work......it all doesnt count anymore. His true colors are out and well as Urban Meyer the coach....for these type of people winning at ALL cost is what matters.!!!

I would like to to see a ground swell of complaint on the SEC and the lack of action.

I would also file assualy charges on Spikes.

I checked out Spikes and read that he is majoring in social and behavioral science. He needs to listen a little better in class. That is, if he's ever attended one.

Eye gouging responce: The punishment definately does not fit the crime. The athletes are treated as prima donna's. That is why we have professionals like A-Rod that violate rules because they know that nothing will happen so they can continue to make millions a year. A-Rod is one of the latest violaters.Others have choked the coach, spit in the umpires face. All violaters should be removed from the sport. I was a very strong baseball fan , since this kind of action started and went unpunished, I will not support any pro sport. I still watch college sports , they are now trying to ruin that too.

I just gotta say my wife is in awe at Robins singing she was hoopin and hollerin at the tv she realy thought it was wonderfull ...richard philly

Robin,

I'm a Gator as was my father and grandfather. However, I find Brandon
Spikes behavior disgusting and appaling. He should thrown off the team.
Otherwise. what example are we presenting to our children???
Best Regards,
Joe Harrell

I think that your reporting of this incident (every 30 minutes) is a bit one sided. I'm wondering if you even watched the entire game.

Well, if you had actually watched the entire game then you would have seen that there were times that UGA played dirty as well. How about the cheap shot that Nick Williams took on Tim Tebow? The refs never even made a call. Here's a link to the video of it to refresh your memory or perhaps for you to view it for the first time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDvFbD7wIAg&feature=player_embedded

It's a college football game, a rivalry one at that... and that means arrogance and stupidity on the field. Yes, football players should act professional on the field. Yes, Brandon Spikes should be ashamed of himself. And yes, a half game suspension is ridiculous.

It would be nice if the media reported a full, WELL ROUNDED story. I know this can be too much to ask. Also, why not just stick to the facts, we're not watching the "news" for your opinions. Perhaps in a few weeks you will be apologizing for making remarks against Tim Tebow as you did regarding comments/opinions you made against Brett Farve.

P.S. You forgot to mention in your "well rounded reporting" that Brandon Spikes was also poked in the eyes during the game and had his helmet ripped off his head twice by the almighty, innocent Bulldogs.

LOL...have you WATCHED a Gator game this year? Spikes has missed more than a couple games that were much more important to this weekends game against Vandy. So I doubt he was only suspended half a game because the Gators were worried about winning.

Futhermore, if Meyer suspended him for a whole game, someone would be saying, "Why is he only getting suspended for a meaningless game against Vandy?" Meyer and the Gators are in a no win situation with this one. BUT!!!! The media is handing out punishment far more severe than missing a whole game against Vandy. So...maybe that's REALLY the point of this article.

Hum, the PAC-10 suspends a player for the season for punching another player and the SEC suspends Spikes for the first half of the next game?

If this incident had happened out in a public place, the police would have made an arrest and court proceedings would begin! He needs to be expelled from the team and punished because of his personal actions, and NOT be able to continue to play because of the athletic ability his coach wants him to be to the team!

I read some of the comments this morning before I had to leave for work. I did not see any that seemed satisfactory. Football may be a rough sport but eye gouging does not have anything to do with the sport. In my humble opinion, he should be kicked off the team permanently!! Any school that condones this behavior should be kicked out of conference for good!

Spikes is one in a long line of outlaws from college football to pro basketball. I am an avid fan but completely wore out with the bad guys. He doesn't need a slap on the wrist but a swift kick in the back side right out of the sport.

He should def. be suspended from playing in the next couple of games. Maybe that could teach him a lesson. Eye gouging and any other threating move is disrespect towards the opponent and the game. Yes, people take the game seriously, but you don't have to go as far as eye-gouging. That's a permanent move. You cannot gain your sight back once it's gone.

Wow, you would think you never ever actually attended a high school, college and professional football game before!

At the bottom of a pile, you have had this type of unprofessional behavior going on for well over 20 years. Players spitting in the faces of those beneath them, others clawing faces and slapping the groin cups of the opposing team members is only slowly becoming less common.

With the advent of the digital sky wire camera's, you can actually see players club the groin area on another player while supposedly 'blocking', or spitting down in the face of another down player. Hence such deplorable practices are becoming less common.

What would make this more news worthy, is the obvious question,

'How many times has Spikes poked opposing team members in the eyes at the bottom of piles BEFORE this incident'?

Oregon's Blount dropped an opposing player that got directly in his face and shouted we kicked your A**. That behavior as well as Blount dropping that ill mannered player to his knees has sadly questioned the professional behavior by the finest athletic students in the world.

Spikes behavior has nothing in common with the Blount incident nor with fellow student athletes, and everything in common with petty thugs that think they can do anything because they are not being seen doing it.

A. Smith
Oregon

I think facility.

Why is it you get in trouble for celebrating when you score a touch down.. But when you go after someones eyes and try to blind the guy its no big deal?!.. Its ridiculous and Its unsportsmanlike conduct.. For Floridas coach to only suspend him for half of a game is basically saying next time dont get caught.. Some role model..

Hey Rafer..

Thank you for admiting it's time for you to "SHUT YOUR MOUTH" about Spike's. Though you're about 24 hours too late!

The blogs were horrible yesterday about this football player, calling him everything in the book, including racial slurs, thanks completely to all the media hype..especially yours!

Until you get out on a rival football teams playing field and see the whole picture, not just some photo op (maybe CBS should focus in on each and every play on every game) SHUT YOUR MOUTH!

Football is a rough sport all ready and this is uncalled for this guy should be banned from any sport and the coach fired, by not getting hard on this they are just inviting more of this type of play, another thing if they would punish this guy they would be sending the message that can and will be resposible for thier actions.

Rafer..

I find it interesting that you shoved FL Gators Brandon Spikes eye poking down our throats yesterday on your show..EVERY segment, he was highlighed at the beginning of your sports cast and how disgusted you were..
To some degree you were right, but ignored the facts of the hard hitting and pile up bad behaviors happen in most all football games.

What bothers me most with you today is you had a segment at 6am and though you said you need you shut you mouth (since GA's Ealey had no problem and didn't get the hype) you didn't present that side at you 6:30 am sports cast..

After all the hype yesterday, you should offer that side on all your shows today! or apologize to Brandon Spikes for helping cause a nation to hate him ( and the Gators) for playing a rival foootball game..
and don't pretend this doesn't happen with other teams and games!

11/4 – as a followup to my comments yesterday 11/3
Today,.it was reported that the player whose eyes were gouged at said that it's okay, it happens all the time....................well ! that must make it okay, RIGHT!??? WRONG! It just shows us where we are with sports in this country. And why I am losing interest in watching sports that allow this type of action. Yes, some sports are very physical, but trying to seriously, intentionally hurt someone and get them out of a game is unacceptable.

I for one believe that we need to get back to real sports, real education in our schools, and not do things for the wrong reasons, $$$$, ratings, etc.

As someone who has officiated several sports, including football, at the High School level, I realize that there are individuals who do not always conduct themselves in a mature manner. But for a player on a nationally-ranked team, on national TV, to assault another player in this fashion is disgusting. This action has no place in any sport and he should be severely punished.

If this player was from Ball State, Middle Tennessee Univ, or some other small college, rather than the mighty Florida Gators, he would have been ejected and suspended without question. For Coach Urban Meyer to meekly dismiss this action by his player shows a total disregard for sportsmanship and discipline on his team.

Maybe someone should suspend the coach for his inaction?

This is appalling! He OBVIOUSLY knew what he was doing, as shown in the video. His season should be over and if Urban Meyer doesn't comply, he should also be suspended for the remainder of the season, for failure to teach these guys respect, honesty, and everyday life skills. By suspending Spikes one half game, coach does actually condone what he did and shows he is only there for his own good, not for the sake of the remaining young men on his team. I have absolutely no respect for Urban Meyer, and this incident only proves I'm correct feeling the way I do, knowing what I know about him. The NCAA really needs to step in and suspend Spikes for the remainder of the season, given the severity of the situation and what could have happened to this young man's eyesight.

WOW, this one is really outrageous! It is bad enough that players can get injured at any time without having to worry about someone deliberately trying to hurt you. Half a game suspension is a joke and gives the impression that this kind of misconduct is OK. How about suspending the entire team for a couple of games? That would send a strong message to all that these type of actions will not be tolerated.

This eye gouging thing is appauling–absolutely appauling!

Rafer

The only reason Brandon Spike suspended himself for entire game because he is injured. Rafers look into it; He took the game off to rest his injured leg. He and UF are going with this just to look good in the media eyes.

The whole world has become crazy. A new rule in the NFL this year allows you to tackle a guy by using his hair. But women cannot. Well change one or the other. OH, I know let's make it ok for women to gouge out each other’s eyes. Like i said, CRAZY!

When comparing double standards on the lady soccer player and the eye poking football player, we have to agree that the football player got off way to easy. There is no place for violence in any sport.
One needs to remember the University of Oregon star football player who was suspended for the season this year when he threw a punch at an opposing team player. This was right after the teams first game and the Coach's actions stopped the problem immediately.
Hats off to the Oregon Coach!!!
Spence and Sheila

Good sportsmanship and decency should not be dictated by money. The female soccer player's actions are a direct result of our nation's absurd mentality regarding sports. Pro athletes who are brought up to believe they are "special" and don't have to live by the same rules as everyone else because they are going to generate $$. Bad behavior is bad behavior and in both the stated cases, the "victims" could have suffered severe injury – what would have been the punishment for that?

I'm sorry, what ever happened to "Good Sportsmanship"? It's almost like saying, "Well, if you can't out play the other team, then it's ok to take cheap shots!" There were three clips shown of ponytail girl kicking, punching, & hair pulling, three strikes you're out. She should be banned from playing as well as the gator dude. I think sports are placed so high in our society that we tend to forget about being ethical, the definition of which follows: being in accordance with the rules or standards for right conduct or practice, esp. the standards of a profession: Also, think about what this is teaching the up-and-coming sports stars!

Would a one game suspension be enough if Ealey would have lost his football career on that eye gouge?? At least none of those girls were in a career threatening position. A good butt-whipping is what that girl needed!

Please don't try and tell me if you make the big money, you can do as you please and expect no punishment! Well for those who think its ok, yes things are 'ONE' sided. Money or no money it isn't right. Do you want your eye poked out for any reason?

Wow!! Suspended for a whole HALF a game? Then the offender thought it was'nt enough and "Up't it" to a whole FULL game? What an organization...what a man...what role models... what a message sent to all (mainly youths).
Start by visiting the victims house, the victims parents house and apologizing (on camera) for doing something that could have possibly blinded a fellow Human Being would be a civilized start! Not playing for the rest of the season and having it on his resume for the rest of his career should be the action taken and message to all (mainly youths) for his actions in a "GAME"!!

Sounds like the coach is worried more about winning than anything. Spikes should be kicked off the team. What is this saying about our morals as a country and humans. Is this now exceptable behavior? Florida school officials should do something about this, stand up and do the right thing.

If professional athletes have to resort to tacky, cheap moves then it obviously shows their lack of SKILL as a player. LOSERS! They should try winning on integrity alone. Sadly, many will fall short!

These type of actions would be called assault and battery off the playing field. Why are they not a crime in a sporting event?
The people who commit these acts should be arrested, tried and jailed if found guilty. They are purposeful attepmts to injure or maim another person and should be treated the same way on the field as they would be off the field. They should also be banned for life from professional sports.

mornin! about the pony tail takedown, videos show her repeatedly beating on other players, and now that shes caught shes sorry? foot ball is a contact sport not fingers in the eyes contact but definately a rough game, guys and girls? thats like comparing foot ball to soccer.

This eye gouging incident is sickening and should not be tolerated. If I had it my way I would suspend the player for the rest of the season.
Football games are won with charcter, ability, and sportsmanship.
This game is not a war in which you want to kill your opponent. Half a game suspension and even one game suspension is a joke.
Our socienty is becoming too tolerant to violance, maybe this is one of the reason why our young teens that are killing other teens are learning from. Dispicable, shame on you coach and player

Eye GOUGING?? C'mon....I keep rewatching the video looking for the eye goo dripping from Brandon's fingers. Your report is nothing but sensationalism; obviously a slow news day on the sports front. Washaun Ealy wasn't even hurt, much less missing his eyes.
That said...what Brandon Spikes did was wrong. He let his frustration (with all the GA cheap shots directed at FL) and adrenaline get the best of him. He's not known for doing this kind of thing and I'm sure he'll be more controlled in the future.
So get a grip and move on. Washaun Ealy and the Georgia football team has.

Rafer,

First of all, I can not believe that the Spikes story has been one of the top sports headlines for over a week now on the show.

I think one of the earlier comments summed up my main point. You need to look at the whole picture. Spikes was poked in the eye and had his helmet ripped off earlier in that game. He was retaliating and actually never touched the Georgia player's eyes. I'll admit he did try to, however. The same way in which a baseball player throws a 90 MPH fastball at an opponent after one of his teammates gets hit the inning before that.

As far as the woman soccer player, how about all the other things she did throughout that game. The hair pulling was only a small part of the array of violations she committed throughout the game.

Watch the whole game before jumping to conclusions and realize that there are much more newsworthy stories going on in sports!!!

This provides a clear picture of the character of Urban Meyer and Tebow. I have no respect for either.

Football is a rough game and it could be dangerous so don't go out there to be mad...be glad.