Georgia 31 Auburn 49
Auburn secured the SEC West today and Georgia is still trying to find bowl eligibility—no surprise in that.
Now, let’s talk about Nick Fairley.
This is not the first game Fairley has used dirty hits to make plays, and it is time that authorities step in and look at this player.
Aaron Murray took two late hits by Fairley today that would have garnered hefty fines in the NFL, and should warrant punishment by the SEC and NCAA.
First, Fairley lowered his helmet into Murray’s back. Then, he takes his helmet into Murray’s knee, sending Murray off the field in pain in the final minutes of the game.
It is one thing to make hard, clean hits on players, or to even accidentally make a bad hit; it is another thing to intentionally try and hurt—seriously hurt, in fact—opposing players.
After the second hit on Murray, three UGA players took Fairley down and somewhere between the take-down and the getting up, fists started flying. UGA players started coming off the bench. By the time the game ended, two Auburn players, Michael Goggans and Mike Blanc, had been ejected—they will have to sit out the first half of the Auburn-Alabama match-up in a couple of weeks.
It was just ugly.
Even more disturbing, however, than the brawl on the field was the way Fairley was celebrating and strutting along the edges of the action as the teams were mixing it up in a brawl instigated by his dirty play. In doing this, he actually demonstrated--flaunted, even--that he was proud of his attempts to injure Aaron Murray; what does this say about him, not just as a ballplayer, but as a human being? And, as this is definitely not the first time Fairley has been accused of delivering cheap shots, what does it say about Auburn head coach Gene Chizik? Apparently, Coach Chizik is okay with this type of play, as long as he is winning?
Ultimately, this is the type of “sportsmanship” that the SEC and NCAA should not sit back and silently condone. If they do, this type of play will continue. And, if they--the SEC, NCAA and Chizik--keep allowing such obvious and vicious hits such as the ones on Murray today go by without repercussion, the SEC, NCAA and Chizik will all three be silent and guilty partners when someone is inevitably seriously injured by Fairley’s dirty shenanigans.
And, I do not care which team you were cheering for today, or how much you "hate" another school: No one should be cheering the blatant, flaunted attempts to seriously injure an opposing player, period.
Comments
What do you expect from a school that admitted a person who was expelled after being caught cheating 3 times? Honesty? None of those players were good sports. Late hits, not to mention all the cockiness. I hope they get their tails handed to them in the national spotlight.
georgia players in the last plays of the auburn game after knocking Failley to the ground piled on his as if he was a ball carrier. where is the good sportsmanship from georgia. Did MR endorse this behavior????
I don't know if MR endorsed this behavior or not, Eddie, and I do think that, in a perfect world, the UGA players should have remained on the sidelines. However, I also know that Fairley provoked UGA throughout the ballgame--I think it's hard to argue that he did not. So, yes, while I would not call the pile-up "good sportsmanship," I would also say that it was provoked and quite minor compared to the repeated provocation by Fairley, which continued even after the fight broke out ... UGA was standing up for their QB when it was obvious no one--including the refs--were going to do so.
It all goes back to Fairley, and the SEC and NCAA needs to get involved before the consequences are greater than a brawl on the field.
Fairley went at Murray's knee and deserved far worse than a few offensive lineman pushing him around. Newton used a "stiff arm" as a punch. Both players are scum. It's ok though every win that Newton was apart of will be erased!!!!
Wow... i'd love to see where the person is who was expelled after being "caught" cheating 3 times. Get your facts straight
I totally agree! I hate Auburn more than any SEC team out there. But after watching the game this past week, something should have been done about Nick Fairley. But apparently the coaches encouraged it and was tagging hands with him. Whoever the SEC people are who reviewed the tape and decided not to punish him should be punched in the face. He deserves to be punished for his actions. All I know is I hope to God when Bama plays Auburn that one of our guys will break his legs! :)
Ok, you need to look at the second hit again. Fairley did not drive his knees into Murray. He was dragged down by a UGA player and with his forward motion it took his helmet into Murray;s knees. I will admit the uncalled for hit to the back, I was yelling at the tv. The second one though, that caused uga players to become the thugs and losers they are. Uncalled for! They showed the replay MULTIPLE times, and being that you are a uga fan I can see where you would look at it that way. Just know that uga's mascot could not even watch the game and was embarrassed to be associated with the unsportsmanlike conduct displayed by uga players. It was truly embarrassing
Ok REALLY??? You need to go back and watch it again, Auburn fan!!! Cause if the shoe was on the other foot you would be mad!!! I am not even a fan of either but watched the game and Auburn played dirty and were so unsportsmenlike!!! What was up with Failey why was he so happy and strutting??? Oh yeah and how many UGA player were kicked out of the game??????? The Refs saw what every Auburn fan didn't want to see!!!
Why did you delete my comment just because you don't agree with it? UGA's response was way more unsportsmanlike than Fairley getting blocked into your precious QB.
ATL: I have not deleted any comments; however, comments that are considered abusive or contain objectionable language can be deleted by the system.
Murray shouldn't have been in the game in the first place. But the only regret that I have about Georgia's reaction is that it didn't tear Fairley's knee up, give him whip lash, and then slam him to the ground. I love the way he was prouncing around--what a THUG!
For those who call protecting your own unsportsmanlike may need to re-evaluate your definition. How would you feel if someone went out their way to harm your little brother, sister, or even your mom's boyfriend/husband hits would you not protect them? You don't have to be UGA fans, in fact they are better off without you ban wagon jumpers because you just like the winning team and everyone knows it. How pathetic is that, speaks alot about your character lol. Mechele is right something needs to be done because it was uncaused for regardless if the second one was or was not intentional, football isn't meant to physically injure someone. Getting hurt expected but someone who is intentionally trying to cause harm unacceptable and it speaks alot about that organization and the players. I support cam newton because he is a rare talent and great at his position but show some sportsmanship. It was a hard fought game and AU was the better team. Go Dawgs!!!!!!!!!
Wow....really?? All I got to say is: Pot meet kettle. It is obvious that Mark Richt learned is coaching ways from 'ol "dadgum" Bobby Bowden. Seriously, how many people CAN get arrested in one season. It's sooo bad that "Hunker down you hairy dawg" is heard more in a courthouse than at Sanford Stadium. Like the saying goes, "Clean up your own yard first..."
Apples and oranges, Shaun ... while I agree that UGA has its own problems to deal with *off* the field, and in many cases should have handled them with greater consequence, spearing someone in the back is an attempt to attentionally maime another player, and a vicious attack that should be punished ... and, for the record, while I do agree Fairley was rolled into Murray on that last hit, I also see in those tapes where he obviously lowered his head/helmet into his knee--he knew he was going there, and he took advantage of it; it's not hard to see.
With all the problems UGA has off the field Richt deals with it with suspending them take AJ Green, Caleb King, Washaun Ealey, and Alec Ogatree. for example they were in on some off field stuff and the were suspended i do't see any of these other schools suspending their players more then a half of a game Mark Richt is taking care of what needs to be done with all the stuff. All the stuff going on with Cam Newton deserved a suspension from the university for at least a half but Chizik does not care a bit as long as they win. Same thing happen in Florida 2 years ago.
It's SEC football people...not table tennis. With a rivalry such as this you can expect some tough hits and nasty aftermath. It's good that everyone is alright now that the dust has settled. Nicjk Fairley did make a uneccessary hit on Murray. He was called for it and penalized. That last hit was nothing intentional..even the CBS announcers said that GA players needed to stay on the sideline...and they had made it obvious from the beginning on the broadcast that they were pulling for GA. BTW, the ref was right there when that last play happened...he would have flagged Fairley if it was intentional.
Of course the UGA players should have stayed on the sideline--that was a mistake on their part, even if they had been provoked by Fairley. But, it was the ref who was wrong in the knee situation, not Fairley who was right ... as I already said, Fairley may have gotten pushed in Murray's direction, but he obviously took advantage of the situation and lowered his helmet into Murray's knee--it's easy enough to see in replay.
As far as the flag on the hit to the back ... when Fairley makes one of those hits and a player doesn't get up because the SEC and NCAA did nothing about it, will 15 yards be a stiff enough penalty?
It's time for the authorities to be proactive, not reactive, and it is amazing to me that anyone cannot see that.
Let's not forget the way Fairly ground his head and entire weight into Murray's face busting his chin and grinding him into the ground on one of the first hits. Fairly is known for this. This should have been called for 15 yards. Newton should have been called for 15 yards when he took a punch at the head of oneUGA defensive backs.. This was not a stiff arm. And all the individual show boating by Newton and Fairly and others should be penalized or controlled by the Coach. UGA is not allowed to do this and has been contantly penalized. It all produces the wrong kinds of emotions and leads to fights and loss of focus on the game by the players. They notice these things and the game becomes a fight instead of a football game. Auburn is not a very good defensive football team and UGA does not have a very good defense either. We have showed that throughout the year. I am not sure I was looking at a team that is much better than we are.. I am proud of the way Georgia fought and I do not think Auburn showed much integrity or good sportsmanship.. Not that UGA was perfect but lots of things were provoked by the way no calls handled in this game.. The NCAA and SEC needs to come back to sportsmanship// Any national championship thing is mostly mythical in the system and always will be..
You are correct about Newton, as well, GADAWGFAN ... makes me wonder just what these players are learning in practice ....
You GA fans are in denial. You got your butts whipped and needed body bags to collect your down players. Fairley is just a mean dude. Maybe if GA had a few players like him they wouldn't be 5-6
Auburn is going to be 0-12 when everything with Cam Newton gets settled buddy!
You act like ya'll have already won the Nat. Champ. Ya'll won 1 game out of 5 and ya'll are the best???? Oh yeah since 2000 we won 6 to ur 4. We DID NOT get a beat down we came with it along with ya'll you must have been watching another game, a beat down to me is 45-7 game and that didnt happen in the least!!! War Eagle my butt I thought ur mascot was a Freaking tiger!!! Ya'll cant even be smart enough to pick a freaking mascot!!!All I have to say we will see if ya'll can beat the TIDES!!! Roll Tides Roll!!!! GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!
As I mentioned in the article, WarEagle, this is not about what team a person cheers for, or who you might "hate" on Saturdays; I'm surprised when people are unable to see that.
LOL wareaglefan maybe you don't remember but if AU didn't have Cam they wouldn't be in the top 3 let alone the top twenty five. Can we say suspect defense...say it with me now AU defense is not good and if we don't have cam we lose... now doesn't that feel better to admit that. LOL wareagles how pathetic.
Who is in denial here? Yes, Fairly is a mean dude. Prisons are full of them. Intentional late hits that are meant to injure is beyond the game. To not censure players that do so is to invite trail attorneys to get involved. (Its already happening in some sports). Is that an outcome you would prefer?
I used to have some respect for Auburn as a football program. Maybe they will return to being a respectable program again one day.
Funny how colors change your opinion. I remember a guy that played like Fairley. His name was Pollack. Simple solution doggies...Block him. GO TECH!! I doubt the doggies could even make a bowl game...it would probably violate their bailbond to leave the state.
David Pollack dirty? You are an idiot!!!
David Pollack? Examples to support this theory?
blizz your are an idiot first UGA will make a bowl game because they are going to whip them sorry jackets you come to love, secondly Pollack playing dirty? Come on guy I never seen it and if so produce some evidence to support your claim. If you can't back off. I respected AU more than I do UF and lame GT but now I hate them the same. They are some low life thugs who has no type of sportsmanship. Next year when Cam leaves how good are they really going to be? I bet they will win about 5 or 6 games at most. UGA will remember this game and just as UF owns UGA right now, UGA will own AU starting next year.
last hit was not intentional...has anyone considered how much build up emotion those guys must have had from the last week and a half of bad press. Nobody in sports is talking about anything other than how Cam might have done this or that. They came out to play hard and release some emotion on the field...give em a break. You put up with what we have the last week and you'd feel that way too!!! It's football not tidlywinks...if your scared Nick might hurt you...stay on the bench!
There is no excuse for spearing another player in the back, kingbrd ... and, although Fairley was moved toward Murray on the last hit, he clearly took advantage of the "unintentional" late hit and lowered his helmet into his knee.
Fairley went at Murray's knee and deserved far worse than a few offensive lineman pushing him around. Newton used a "stiff arm" as a punch. Both players are scum. It's ok though every win that Newton was apart of will be erased!!!!
After talking with my wife, my college step son has stories of football players sleeping in class and making a passing grade. I agree there are those who excell in college but I also have experienced better than average football players receiving money and gifts from alumni. The old story is to keep the good players happy and the great players the happiest. If the FBI investigates one player then they need to investigate ALL. I believe all that read this will agree that if all the gifts and gratuites are eliminated from college football highschool players will skip the college experience and set their sites on a pro contract, (as the baseball players do now).
So, you are arguing that gifts and gratuities should be allowed because "good" players may not want to attend college otherwise?
I have no dawg in this fight (pun intended) but watched the game to see some SEC football. The SEC is a corrupt joke. No flags for the (ahem) stiff arm, no flags for that pig # 90 until it was simply too obvious to ignore. I suspect the SEC has an agenda with keeping Auburn undefeated because of the huge payout the MNC would bring the league. Shameful when money becomes more important than protecting young men.
No arguing here, Spec-tator--and loved the pun ... :)
Mechele, you're right. The fight was unacceptable on both side and Fairleys shot to his back was just as bad. But let's not act as if Fairley didn't have at least 3 attempted chop blocks on him... I don't agree with his reaction, but I understand it.
Seriously, AU--are you suggesting that Fairley was *provoked*?
I never saw a chop block. I some cut blocks but those are legal so fairley should know how to handle those, as they are taught in practice. If you want to see an illegal block watch Ziemba. The man is so dirty he makes Fairley look like a saint.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_jtagydRIU...watch at 4:59 in this one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miJwMCgaxKo...add that up with what happend last sat, and thats just against two teams, thats a terrible reflection on that program. Remember when Ziemba almost broke his own teammate's(coleman) neck...his own teammate...in PRACTICE....
Fairley is a thug and everyone knows it. Cam is a thug too just hiding just in the QB position. Great football team, but as usual thug play by the Barn.
Someone should hit Fairley on the side of one of his knees and frature it so badly that the clown NEVER makes the first dollar he is looking for from the NFL.
He deserves to sit and WATCH real atheletes on Sunday
Paid players and a LOW LIFE PIECE OF TRASH FAIRLEY! He will get a premeditated carrer ending injury for sure!
its almost ridiculous reading some of the UGA comments on here. from someone that actually KNOWS Fairley, i can tell you the guy is def not a "thug". while the spear in the back was a dirty and stupid hit, i promise you, it wasn't to purposefully injure Murray and take him out of the game. i would contribute it more to his immaturity in the game (this is his first main season after all) and him being upset at being a)attempt at being chop-blocked (one of the dirtiest things in football) and b) being double/triple teamed and not getting to Murray. The hit to the knee was totally intentional, and anybody with a brain who has played a sport can tell you that. when you are being blocked by two oline men, going at full speed, and doing whatever you can to get to the QB, things can happen that you don't mean to happen. it upsets me to see a good guy like Nick get this reputation when he honestly doesn't deserve it.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!