Should Brandon Spikes be suspended for 1 game?

[Chiefnj2]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDOy-RMIpF0

Purposefully trying to gouge the eyes out of a downed runner.

[DaKCMan AP]

Florida Gators: LB Brandon Spikes says he will sit out the entire Vanderbilt game for eye-gouging incident

By Jeremy Fowler SENTINEL STAFF WRITER

11:49 p.m. EST, November 4, 2009

GAINESVILLE — Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes is removing himself from Saturday's game against Vanderbilt because he doesn't want to be a distraction after last week's attempted eye-gouging incident.

Spikes, Coach Urban Meyer and defensive coordinator Charlie Strong collectively decided to elevate the suspension from a half-game to a full game. Meyer originally announced Monday that Spikes would sit for half the Vanderbilt game.

Spikes reached into the helmet of Georgia running back Washaun Ealey in Saturday's 41-17 win over Georgia and appeared to attempt an eye-gouging in the middle of a pile of players. The video quickly circulated throughout the Internet.

"I really don't want to be a distraction to the team," Spikes said to the statewide media Wednesday with Meyer by his side. "I want the guys to prepare without any negative things going on. I feel like if I would play, it would be a big thing. I'm just trying to stay out of the way and just motivate the guys. I'm pretty sure [linebacker Ryan] Stamper's got my back and my teammates really support me on this decision."

Spikes addressed the regional media in Gainesville for the first time since Aug. 15 but did not field questions.

Meyer, who also didn't stay for questioning, said the negative attention of this week is "weighing heavy on [Spikes'] heart right now." Many national critics railed on Meyer for not issuing Spikes a stiffer penalty for the dirty play. Spikes took heat from figures such as ESPN personality Mike Golic, who called Spikes' actions a "joke."

Quarterback Tim Tebow defended Spikes, saying the Florida-Georgia game was dirtier than normal from both sides. Ealey said Spikes neither gouged his eyes nor deserved to be suspended.

"It's a group decision," Meyer said. "We're doing it out of respect for our team so we can focus on trying to win our ninth game. We think it's the right thing to do. We support Brandon fully. We look forward to him getting back and finishing the season the right way."

Spikes, who has 42 tackles and three sacks on the season, also missed most of two games with a groin injury in October. Spikes entertained the NFL draft last year but opted to return for a senior season. Stamper will replace Spikes at middle linebacker.

The dirty play is Spikes' first alarming incident as a Gator, and he seems to be taking it seriously after saying in a statement Monday that there's "no excuse for my actions."

"As a team, we have to rally around him and defend him," Gators wide receiver David Nelson said. "He's not a dirty player at all. He's a good person."

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[Mecca]

It's Vanderbilt, Florida could win that one with half the starters not playing.