Five Gators suspended for violation of team rules
Posted: Wednesday August 12, 1998 07:34 PM
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Brown is among five Gators who will miss the September 5 opener against The Citadel Scott Halleran/Allsport |
GAINESVILLE, Florida (AP) -- Five Florida football players, including starting safeties Teako Brown and Rod Graddy, were suspended by coach Steve Spurrier on Wednesday for violating team rules.
Brown, a senior who started all 11 games at free safety last season, and Graddy, a sophomore expected to start at strong safety, will miss Florida's September 5 opener against The Citadel.
Anthony Mitchell, a reserve defensive end, also was ruled out of the opener. Reserve running back Eugene McCaslin drew a three-game suspension and cornerback Mike Gipson was suspended indefinitely.
"We have a few players that have trouble conforming to the few rules and regulations we have around here," Spurrier said. He did not elaborate.
Brown's suspension ends a string of 22 consecutive starts. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound senior was an all-Southeastern Conference selection last year and has intercepted 10 passes in three seasons.
Graddy played in 10 games last season and made 11 tackles. He was slated to start at free safety in place of Tony George, who is moving to cornerback this season.
McCaslin, a junior, ran for just 93 yards last season, but can play tailback and fullback. That could become an issue since starting fullback Rod Frazier still is recovering from an ankle injury suffered last year against Auburn. Frazier's status for the season will be determined after an evaluation Thursday.
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