Gamecocks' Geathers arrested at nightclub
By Travis Haney
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.
Student-athletes are summarily suspended from the team activities
following arrests, until the matter is legally resolved.
Coach Steve Spurrier has yet to make a comment about the incident, USC said. The Gamecocks are scheduled to practice this afternoon.
Sunday was South Carolina's final off day before the season, which begins Sept. 3 in Raleigh against N.C. 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 1 1/2 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 for violating university policy. 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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louieabaker (anonymous) says...
So what's new. I'm sure the charges will be dropped prior to the season opener.
August 24, 2009 at 4:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CNSYD (anonymous) says...
Where is Loose Bolts when you need him? He would have kept them in line just like he did with Watson and Summers.
August 24, 2009 at 7:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
GuitarHero (anonymous) says...
Another week, another Gamecock arrested. If Spurrier were to kick off every player arrested, they'd have to play their players on both sides of the ball.
August 24, 2009 at 7:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
4HSwampMan (anonymous) says...
Shamecocks continue to stay in the news.
August 24, 2009 at 8:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BlackMagic84 (anonymous) says...
It was a setup. Everyone knows the Columbia police and campus police hate the Gamecock football players. The police are always setting up the guys.
I want to know were I can buy my "Free Clifton Gathers" t-shirts?
I am sure they have to be out there.
August 24, 2009 at 8:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lou9 (anonymous) says...
Kick his butt off the team. This kind of irresponsible behavior will continue until someone teaches these pampered athletes the meaning of the word "no".
August 24, 2009 at 10:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ed52 (anonymous) says...
Another week in tiger town, another woman beaten , another dui , another brawl at the ymca . facts to follow . it will take 12 to 18 months for the state to break the story or the truth to slip out. so tatertrash above hold your toughts.
August 24, 2009 at 10:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wanj (anonymous) says...
You serious Ed? that is your response, face the facts this is getting to be a routine. I know USAX it is the environment that caused this, and the Clemson police would have let him go. Blah blah blah. You have two good coaches on that campus, Horne and Tanner, and guess what Geathers would not be playing for either of those guys right now.
I know people are innocent until proven guilty, and this kid needs to have his story heard but this is becoming quite a tradition in Columbia.
August 24, 2009 at 10:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
uscsax (anonymous) says...
wanj, not sure why you're throwing my name out there. I'd take the stance at this time that all Clemson fans like to take when it is one of their own, let all the facts come out and then go from there. If he's guilty and the circumstances would lead one to believe he is, he'll enter PTI, comply, and should be suspended for several games, if not the entire season by Spurrier. Now whether or not that happens remains to be seen. Since it had been a while since something like this had happen I'm sure most SC fans are like me and were hoping that maybe the corner had been turned in regards to these off the field incidents but we can only continue to hope. Ron White said it best, "You can't fix stupid". Unfortunately those are the kinds of decisions many kids in their late teen, early 20s make.
You are right wanj in the sense that if he was playing for Horn or Tanner he'd be gone, but you know football is a different animal than baseball and basketball. And you shouldn't throw stones because there are plenty of instances where Clemson players have been given a second chance and not thrown off the team for a first offense. He'll get his second chance, and I said it after Garcia's second offense, he should be thrown off the team if he can't learn not to break the law.
August 24, 2009 at 11:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
notafan (anonymous) says...
I'm just glad he didn't beat up any women. I But hey if he gets PTI like the Clemson player its all good. That dude beat up his girlfriend and did not miss one down last year. Nice.
August 24, 2009 at 11:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wanj (anonymous) says...
Good answer USAX. I threw your name out there because we had a discussion about the behavior issues regarding the two universities and your answer was that the environment contributes to more off the field issues for SC.
Notafan, you said it best when you said "last year". You continue to make these assertions, but we are here in the present, and this is an article about USC. Continue to try and sweep all your issues under the rug. I love how you are ignoring the present situation and focusing on the 1 issue Clemson had in a year. Or better yet, let's talk about the Duane Coleman issue that was within the last several years.
notafan, continue to support the stepchild university of the state.
August 24, 2009 at 12:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
robbybobby (anonymous) says...
boys just want to have fun. do dit it, do dit it.
August 24, 2009 at 12:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ed52 (anonymous) says...
wanj, so which is worse , the crime or the cover up? it took 2 years for the partial facts of the corey groover shooting to surface.
corey was just walking by and was shot for no reason..
we are just wasting our time! you can't change my mind and i can't change yours.
August 24, 2009 at 1:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Snapper (anonymous) says...
It is a set up! It's been going on for years. They arrest a Gamecock player then cut a deal with the athletic department for tickets. Keep in mind, Florida is coming to town this year, and so is Clemson.
August 24, 2009 at 1:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mb300sl (anonymous) says...
If they win the big games...let them run wild in Columbia! No worse than the idiot drunks in the legislature...
August 24, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
I'm sick of it...not only at CU but also USC and all of the other schools. Then, we have to put up with it in the NFL. It's a shame how loudly money talks and how little honor counts.
August 24, 2009 at 3:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
surfer (anonymous) says...
My sentiments exactly theronce.
August 25, 2009 at 10:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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