11/23/24
October 12, 2005
Cheapshot: (3.9 mb wmv) - Brad Butler, offensive tackle for UVA was suspended for one game for chop blocking ACC preseason player of the year Mathias Kiwanuka on his injured right ankle from behind and after the whistle on a third quarter play of a 28-17 Cavaliers loss. He was not ejected during the game, however. Al Washington of BC was, after jumping on top of Butler.
posted by puke & cry to football at 12:41 AM - 14 comments
Agreed. If I was the coach at UVA, I'd make him thank me for not kneecapping him, and then I'd run him the hell out of the program.
posted by chicobangs at 04:45 AM on October 12, 2005
that just shows how dirty some of these kids play. kiwanuka isn't having the season he needs to be though!
posted by dbcgazzou05 at 07:15 AM on October 12, 2005
The last link makes interesting reading. In announcing the suspension, both Butler and UVA coach Al Groh equivocated in their statements in ways that play fast and loose with the truth. While admitting that his player "crossed the line," Groh also said of Butler's action, "His intent was to take the player to the ground, not to inflict injury." Intent to take him to the ground...after the play was over? No intent to injure, but you target an injured leg? Groh's not being entirely honest here, methinks. Nor is Butler, who said, "I was not trying to hurt Mathias Kiwanuka. I was engaged in blocking him because he is the type of player who makes plays all over the field." Again, blocking him...after the play? I hope this albatross hangs around Butler's and Groh's neck until it's good and rotten and stinky.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 07:36 AM on October 12, 2005
Well, I do believe that Groh said basically what he had to say - stand up for his team, yadda, yadda. Butler is just a cheap asshole who's only course of action left is to defend himself as best as he can. It all rings so hollow because the evidence is so clear - a total intent to injure by a player that simply could not keep up. Classless.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 08:33 AM on October 12, 2005
Holy Crap, I have seen alot of cheap shots in sports but that takes the cake!!! Butler knew Kiwanuka was hurt, the play was not even in the vicinity where they were at, Kiwanuka had disengaged from the block and was not even facing in Butler's direction. Then you see Butler rare back and go right for his injured leg. Butler should be suspended for the rest of the season by the NCAA. Athletes make mistakes and bad choices, but that was ruthless and unnecessary. Groh should have stepped up and removed Butler for the season too. I am all for a coach standing behind his players, but Butler meant to injure Kiwanuka and he should be punished more than one game.
posted by mcstan13 at 08:40 AM on October 12, 2005
As a former UVA assistant coach, I am very ashamed to see what Al Groh has done to our program. We may not have won every game, but we won every time an athelete graduated, and went on to be the stellar person we felt was the goal of our program. It is a sad reflection on our nation that nowadays, winning has become the only thing. Class, decorum, dignity are all disposable when the Alumni demand a win. College, and especially collegiate athletics, are supposed to be associations that build charachter in young men, teach them the value of teamwork, allow them the opportunity to become leaders. More and more they're farm teams for the NFL that focus soley on the Atheletes on-field life, leaving them ill prepared for a life beyond the institution. I guess it's always been that way, but it didn't used to be at UVA.
posted by LostInDaJungle at 12:53 PM on October 12, 2005
I have gone back and watched the tape several more times and I get sickened by it more each time. What has to happen before UVA and the NCAA step in. If Butler had shattered Kiwanuka's knee and ended his football career would that have made a difference. Butler is lucky that Kiwanuka was wearing that brace on his knee because that is probably the only thing that save him. The more I watch the tape the more I think that Butler should be suspended indefinitely. That is the cheapest shot I have ever seen. The worst part of all of this is that it has gotten little recognition from the media and the NCAA seems to be more concerned with whether team names are offensive then if players are taking cheapshots at one another. Get Butler off the field before he seriously hurts someone.
posted by mcstan13 at 01:28 PM on October 12, 2005
anyone know where i can see tape of the cheap shot???
posted by fade2244 at 04:56 PM on October 12, 2005
"Well, I do believe that Groh said basically what he had to say - stand up for his team, yadda, yadda." Weedy, you ignorant slut. That's about the silliest excuse I ever heard--Groh needs to stand up for his school for doing what's right and not try to rationalize away an incredibly bad decision by a player.
posted by billsaysthis at 05:00 PM on October 12, 2005
I agree. Absolute chicken sh#@. This was so far after the whistle was blown that you just cant defend it in any way. I also believe that coaches should defend their players but this coach has no leg to stand on. Butler took that away when he forgot he was playing pro college ball and started playing some Detroit street ball.
posted by AsTrOs WiLd MaN #1 at 05:01 PM on October 12, 2005
Click the Cheap Shot link to see it, fade. I agree with Bill, Weedy. Groh should have said nothing rather than lie about his player's obvious intent to injure. Unless I'm mistaken, his players have knees also, and they have an interest in not being chopped down either.
posted by rcade at 05:38 PM on October 12, 2005
that was horrible forget a suspension BC players should be able to string the guy up and take shota at his private parts. what a classless act UVA's coach defending it makes it even worse.
posted by fade2244 at 06:39 PM on October 12, 2005
Kiwanuka out for this weekend's Wake Forest game.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 03:59 PM on October 13, 2005
what a chickensh** play by this UVA clown. He was probably getting his ass kicked all day by Kiwanuka and resorted to this cowardly play to try and even the score. I hope this cheap shot-artist never sniffs the field again. As for Washington, that is what a good teammate does, gets his teammates back. I don't know what Butler was thinking. There are things like cameras and film to capture the moment. I hope he wasn't stupid enough to think he could get away with it.