USC's Geathers arrested
By Travis Haney
Updated 08:06 p.m., August 23, 2009
COLUMBIA — South Carolina defensive end Clifton Geathers was arrested early Sunday morning and now faces three charges related to an incident near a Columbia nightclub, according to various reports.
The reports say just after 3 a.m., officers responded to a call of a disturbance at Club ICE, in the Vista entertainment area, to find Geathers scuffling with the club's security.
A message left Sunday evening with Columbia police spokesman Brick Lewis wasn't immediately returned.
Lewis told others it took several officers to arrest the 6-8, 280-pound Geathers, who was charged with resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.
Players - or any student, for that matter - are summarily suspended from the university following arrests.
Coach Steve Spurrier has yet to make a comment about the incident, USC said. The Gamecocks are scheduled to practice Monday afternoon.
Sunday was South Carolina's final off day before the season, which begins Sept. 3 in Raleigh, N.C., against North Carolina State.
Geathers, a junior from Georgetown, is expected to be a starter this fall. He played in all 13 games as a sophomore, starting one of them.
He had 29 tackles, including 1½ sacks. One of the sacks led to a fumble and return for a touchdown at Ole Miss.
The Gamecocks could ill afford to lose another defensive lineman for any period of time. Ladi Ajiboye will be suspended for the first three games. Nate Pepper has been limited in camp because of a chronically balky knee.
Additionally, freshman Ronald Byrd will miss the season after having knee surgery.
Defensive head coach Ellis Johnson has expressed more and more concern about depth up front in recent weeks.
Reach Travis Haney at thaney@postandcourier.com and check out the South Carolina blog at www.postandcourier.com/weblogs/gamecocks.
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Comments
Hooch (anonymous) says...
AAAAUUUUUUUUGGGHHHHHH!!! When is that staff going to ban players from five points and the vista???
August 23, 2009 at 8:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
fjms (anonymous) says...
I'm sure he will be suspended for the S.C.State game only!
August 23, 2009 at 8:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sardis12 (anonymous) says...
"Players - or any student, for that matter - are summarily suspended from the university following arrests."
So what happens if they are found to be innocent months later?
August 23, 2009 at 8:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
charlestonnative1963 (anonymous) says...
When I was in college, Athlets were not allowed to go out during season and were usually in a study hall being watched-and in bed with assistant coaches checking up on them. I guess that went out the window when teachers stopped dishing out punishment in K-12 and people who had jobs were expected to show up, Oh and governors were who they said they were when they got themselves elected BY THE PEOPLE
August 23, 2009 at 8:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
youmanyo (anonymous) says...
4 more strikes and he is out !
August 23, 2009 at 9:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KidYendor (anonymous) says...
All public bars are supposed to close the doors at midnight on Saturday nights and by 2 a.m. at membership bars on Sunday morning. Why is Club ICE open and rollin' at 3? Way to go Geathers are you happy now?
August 23, 2009 at 10:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
guidedbystewart (anonymous) says...
KidYender, sounds like you are not familiar with bar hours on Columbia. The regular bars close at 2am on Sunday and private clubs can stay open even longer (not sure of the timeline even if there is one).
August 23, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chuck_b (anonymous) says...
"Players - or any student, for that matter - are summarily suspended from the university following arrests."
Players get suspended from the team, but I can say from personal experience that an arrest != suspension from school or even loss of scholarship @ USC. I was arrested in 2005 as a USC undergrad for "Minor in Possession of Beer" (lamest arrest ever) and kept my out of state scholarship and all that jazz. Have had several younger friends arrested for the similar reasons since then (as recently as Feb 08) with same results. Drunk and disorderly, possession of marijuana, etc do not get you suspended. Maybe arrest for violent crime does?
August 24, 2009 at 9:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BlackMagic84 (anonymous) says...
Everyone knows Gathers was not at fault.
The kid was setup by the police.
August 24, 2009 at 9:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sbs920 (anonymous) says...
fjms - Carl,
And which game was McDaniel suspended for beating up his girlfriend/ho ?
August 24, 2009 at 10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
youmanyo (anonymous) says...
Are you talking about the part McDaniel played in beating our ho 31-14.
August 24, 2009 at 8:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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