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Here is more that I have added in addition to today’s column. Here are the rest of my thoughts:
Sure, Vanderbilt didn’t show any class last season after beating Georgia. That doesn’t excuse Georgia’s players of going out there and stooping to their level. Georgia is of a higher breed with a coach that is trying to instill values that go far beyond football, and as emotional of a win it was, the players went too far in getting revenge.
I’ve never been a fan of stomping on someone’s logo at midfield or doing anything to the field that is disrespectful. One of the most disrespectful acts I’ve seen all year is when an Oregon player took an Oregon hammer and smashed the “M” logo at midfield against Michigan. It’s not what amateur sports is about. There’s a certain level of class that amateur sports should still have as it isn’t tainted with what surrounds the professional game.
The fact that Richt ran onto the field and pushed the players off was amazing to me. How many coaches would have done that? Not many. That’s why I don’t want any blame to go onto him for this as he was trying to win respectfully. A few of his players, yes, caught up in the moment, made Georgia look as bad as Vandy did last year and as bad any other team that plants their flag at midfield or stomp on a logo in taunting fashion.
You can celebrate emotionally after a win without taunting an opponent. You don’t have to stoop to the other team’s level from a year ago. And that is what was Richt’s point and why he pushed them away.
But do I think Georgia has no class? Of course not. Georgia football has some of the most outstanding individuals and I am privileged to have the opportunity to cover them. It just catches me off guard that they would show this level of low sportsmanship because I am not used to it. Some people I have talked to about it say that it isn’t that big of a deal but to me it is, because how you are perceived after the game is how the losing team thinks about you for a year.
You can count on Vandy being extra ready for a game in Athens next year.
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