Coach Urban Meyer has once again shown us that he and Florida football are committed to discipline and character above all else. In lieu of an uproar over Brandon Spikes eye gouging a Georgia player, Meyer has decided to suspend Spikes for the first half of the Vandy game. Says Meyer:
"I don't condone that," Meyer said. "I understand what goes on on the football (field), but there's no place for that. We're going to suspend Brandon for the first half of the Vanderbilt game. I spoke with him. That's not who he is. That's not who we are. He got caught up in emotion."
Meyer's choice to lay down the law on the recalcitrant Spikes, therby risking giving up more than 50 yards in the first half against the Commodores, only further strengthens Meyer's spotless reputation for rejecting the win-at-all-costs sentiments that pervade the college coaching ranks.
There was some concern that Meyer might give into his zealous disciplinary inclinations and suspend Spikes for the Gators game against South Carolina. Displaying his compassionate side, however, Meyer had this to say about that possibility:
I really couldn't suspend Brandon for the game against the Gamecocks. Marc Curles and his team of officials are going to be back for that game, and I didn't want Brandon to miss the Gators' reunion with their buddies in stripes.
It's good to see that some coaches still care about the players.
Word on whether Jarvis Moss will also be suiting up when the Gators take on the Gamecocks is forthcoming.