Johnathan Gray Ejected In Win Over Stephenville
by Wescott Eberts (GoBR) on Dec 5, 2011 10:04 AM CST
in Texas Longhorns Recruiting
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PrintTexas running back commit Johnathan Gray entered his playoff game against rival Stephenville on Saturday with revenge on his mind.
Gray's Bearcats had a 29-game winning streak snapped in a Zero Week loss against the Yellow Jackets, so the star running back was primed and ready to get his team off to a fast start, doing so with a 76-yard touchdown run on Aledo's second play from scrimmage.
However, the eventual 33-0 victory for Aledo ended up being bittersweet for Gray, as he was ejected from the game after his second unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for taunting. While the first penalty may have been warranted, as Gray reportedly made a throat-slashing gesture that he claimed later was not directed at the opponent, the second personal foul looks much more questionable:
Johnathon Gray Ejected in Playoff game (via tcumaniac2010)
The video of the play in question begins around the 1:45 mark.
Aledo head coach Tim Buchanan did indicate that Gray will be available next week as the Bearcats continue their assault on a third consecutive 4A state title against Corsicana in the state semifinals.
Gray did express some contrition to the team after his ejection, but seemed as if he didn't agree with the calls in a statement afterwards:
I'm glad for our team. I'm glad we won. I'm not all about myself. I apologized for it, getting kicked out of the game. They made some terrible calls. But that's what you have to live with.
Before the ejection, Gray was able to gain 195 yards rushing on 18 carries, helping him pass former Longhorn Traylon Shead on the Texas career rushing list. A second touchdown was taken away as a result of his second personal foul penalty.
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I'm not sure this shows that he's a 'me' guy necessarily
Payback game + state playoffs = a little bit overamped maybe. Plus, that 2nd penalty was crap.
Heck, bring the fire to the 40, JG!!
We're going to play like we're in a bad mood.
That is not what this was
He scored on a 70+ yard run on the 3rd play, got a little hyped up and made a throat slashing gesture. OK, I will give you that one.
The second call was absolute garbage. And that got him ejected. Ridiculous.
By ALL accounts, this kid’s character is unquestionable.
"A lot of people look for the easy way to do anything, in swimming there is no easy way." - Eddie Reese
We can't let this one incident
mar his entire character/reputation. If anything, I’m more excited then ever because this guy has a fire, something we will need next year.
Besides, this is Aledo, 4A Texas football. It’s important, but it will be known to him that being ejected from the game is NOT acceptable at the University of Texas.
Amen
I will change my legal name to "I. M. Harsin" if Texas scores on a Statue of Liberty or Hook-and-Ladder vs. OU."
by Distributor of the Football on Dec 5, 2011 12:30 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Big deal.
The 2nd was a crap call, in our eyes, but it is the epitome of the “it’s all about me” display that officials are cracking down on in HS FB and in CFB. And, I, for one, am glad. Had he done it once in the game, it wouldn’t have been a big deal. But twice, by rule, the refs have to eject him. However, anything I’ve read here previously about JGray (befriending the friend w/ the disease) lets me know that he’s a good kid and will represent UT well.
But this is no a big deal for UT. Heck, if he does it in a game vs. KState next year, it’ll be after his 2nd or 3rd long TD run and Mack will say, “J, you’re a bad boy for doing that. Go over there, sit on the bench, and think about what you’ve done wrong. You’ve already got 237 yards rushing this game anyway. Now, I’m just going to give the ball to Malcolm. He’s only got 178 yards so far and I need to give him at least 10 carries this week.”
Um, throat-slashing, taunting, ...?!
Those aren’t exactly team-building exercises, are they?
team-building exercises?
Its a High School GAME. This isnt their job yet, they arent in the NFL (No Fun League). Its HS. It sucks they’re taking the fun out of the game. This isnt 1950
"Stability is a factor in teams that win the championship. But if you stabilize on a team that's going to end up short of that, then all you're doing is spinning your wheels in the 45-win range."-----Daryl Morey
by fanoflosingteams on Dec 5, 2011 2:25 PM CST up reply actions
You've missed the point. Forget the hyperbolic "team-building exercises".
Throat-slashing and high-stepping while looking back at the defenders, which, in fact, he did both, ARE taunting. Hey, I don’t make the rules, the UIL does. And this was an easy textbook ejection for the refs.
Who cares?
It will be dealt with. This guy has, numerous times, shown plenty of character. You’re gonna let one incident change what you think of him?
by 40A on Dec 5, 2011 6:29 PM CST up reply actions
You're changing the subject to try & win an argument.
“Who cares?” Obviously you do (& so do I) or you wouldn’t be touting his character.
“… anything I’ve read here previously about JGray (befriending the friend w/ the disease) lets me know that he’s a good kid and will represent UT well.”It’s what I wrote about JGray 6 hours b4 you asked if 2 penalties are gonna change what I think of him. Obviously, it won’t. I have the ability to discuss on-field rules without condemning the kid.
I don't care about winning the argument.
And I don’t care that he was ejected. That’s where the “who cares” comes from.
I have the ability to discuss on-field rules without condemning the kid.
Sure you do! That’s what open forums are for! Calm down! I’m not interested in winning an argument, I simply asked if that incident would change what you thought of him.
A simple “no” would have sufficed.
by 40A on Dec 6, 2011 2:00 PM CST up reply actions
No. Is that better?
I wanted you to know that I had already answered this in a previous posting, prior to your insinuation that I was thinking badly of the kid. ’Twas not at all the original point anyway.
“Calm down!”Yeah, I should calm down.
Taunting is subjective
Just because the ref calls it doesn’t make it so. Real “taunting” is Baylor throwing the Horns down every single time they did anything in that game. Throat-slashing gesture is one of the most common ones out there. I’ll take that over blatantly insulting the other team any day.
Follow me on Twitter @GoHornsGo90
Why is taunting even a penalty?
Not to get too philosophical here, but enforced sportsmanship isn’t real sportsmanship anyways, right?
I told the people of my district that I would serve them as faithfully as I had done; but if not ... you may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas. -- Davey Crockett
by pleaseplaykindle on Dec 5, 2011 3:37 PM CST up reply actions
I'm not sure
I haven’t figured it out either. I never will. People talk shit in sports. Who cares?
Follow me on Twitter @GoHornsGo90
I love smack-talk in sports & participated in it without fail.
Jordan, Bird, Kobe, Reggie, X-man, etc… were all awesome at it but I guess the rules committees and referees are more concerned with outward demonstrative gestures that fans (kids) in the stands and watching TV can see. They create rules against self-aggrandizing and simulated violence but I’ve never seen that they care too much about language & smack-talk spewing among players & coaches, as long as it’s not demonstrative. I’ve seen umpteen coaches cussing out the refs and the refs extremely rarely do anything about it.
That's the funny thing
the players can say almost anything they want to other players, but if you look down at the player you just laid out, that’s a penalty? Please.
by 40A on Dec 5, 2011 6:30 PM CST up reply actions
Throat-slashing gesture is one of the most common?
Well, at least, it WAS quite common (& lame) until the NFL, CFB, and TX HS divisions ALL outlawed the gesture during games about 5 years ago. Do we really need to explain why a throat-cutting action like that was bad for the game and bad for young fans to see?! Throwing the Horns down, high-stepping, using a Sharpie marker, etc… are all “look at me!” unsportsmanlike penalties now, in all levels of football. I, personally, am so glad they’ve cracked down on these. I hate self-aggandizing in team games – it is distinctly different than pure on-field excitement and enthusiasm for winning. But, surely, you can see why throat-slashing is a step worse than any of those? What if they did a shooting gun motion to each other? You would think it’s okay?
Yeah, these are all subjective but you need to realize that, if the ref calls it taunting, IT IS. The ref enforces rules that are adopted by the “powers-that-be” and if he calls it a 15-yard penalty, you better be believe that the coaches are going to get that player to stop doing it. If you want to walk down the street and throat-slash gesture everyone or high-step around somone, so be it. However, doing it on a field – where it is has been deemed to be against the rules – is subject to a stricter set of rules.
Is that true?
“Throwing the Horns down, high-stepping, using a Sharpie marker, etc… are all "look at me!" unsportsmanlike penalties now, in all levels of football.”
I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone flagged for throwing the horns down, even though I see it in nearly every Texas game.
Sorry, you're right. I erred on that one thing.
Throwing the Horns down, high-stepping, using a Sharpie marker, etc… are all “look at me!” unsportsmanlike penalties now, in all levels of football." – Fixed, Now get back to the point. However, if they throw down the Horns before they get to the end zone, it would be penalized just the same as the high-stepping.
On a side note, did anyone notice that the UofH is still doing the “F-you Horns” hand sign? (middle finger added to the Hook ‘em Horns) They haven’t even been a conference rival of UT’s in 15 years and they’re still doing this?! This is worse than 0U’s & amuT’s lame Horns-down sign. I was actually pulling for them last Saturday … until I saw all of ’em doing this.
You act like all of these "offenses"
Are A) punishment worthy, which is already debatable and B) equal in, for lack of a better word, naughtiness, which is certainly erroneous.
Follow me on Twitter @GoHornsGo90
I appreciate the fact that you don't agree with the rules ...
… but, regardless, they are in the rulebook and will be enforced by the officials.
A) Throat-slashing IS punishment-worthy and this is true in ALL levels of football.
B) I do NOT think high-stepping to the end zone is near as “naughty” as throat-slashing.
Not sure.
I was looking for the rule on-line earlier but had to go. I never quite found it. I’d like to see what’s stated. That would certainly answer a lot of questions we have on the issue. I’m pretty sure it doesn’t say “high-stepping”, though. Probably just says “taunting” or something that can be loosely & inconsistently enforced.
UH
was doing that against Souther Miss.? Losers.
"Three things can happen when you pass and two of 'em are bad."
-- Darrell K. Royal
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by 04'-05'-glorydays on Dec 5, 2011 7:03 PM CST up reply actions
I miss it
Let’s bring back the “fun bunch”. Rather allow that than watch guys throw TDs vs FCS schools up 50.
by codaxx on Dec 5, 2011 5:45 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
"Hail to the Redskins ..."
As a Cowboy fan, I wasn’t too bitter w/ that ’Skins era since the Cowboys were never competitive against the Fun Bunch. Art Monk is still one of my favorite receivers ever. So solid & consistent.
I wasn't aware the Can Can Dance is worthy of a penalty.
Definitely is a form of taunting, though, especially with him drawing an officiating target on his back with the prior penalty.
He just better not do that dance before he scores at this level. It is a tauntin penalty and it prevents the td. Its happened like once this year.
"This is a chance to shine some light on the city, They say it’s too cold. I’m going to bring some warmth to it." Marcell Dareus
by matthew62 on Dec 5, 2011 11:04 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
Yah I am sure but I hate the rule. Gets to the point kids can not show emotion on the field sometimes.
"This is a chance to shine some light on the city, They say it’s too cold. I’m going to bring some warmth to it." Marcell Dareus
by matthew62 on Dec 5, 2011 12:02 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Sounds like a teachable moment
He apologized to his team which shows he isn’t an all me guy and let’s hope he learns from it so that it doesn’t happen in the future.
We're Texas, We're not OK.
1150 carries, 200+ TDs ...
… and the first time I recall him being penalized for anything. As one of the biggest rivalries in Texas HS football, emotions are extremely high in this game. Add to that the Week 0 meeting (48-47 S-ville) and the 6 games between these two teams in the last 3 years (I think 5 of them decided in the last minute) and you have a pretty explosive situation.
The other thing that got mis-reported was that Johnathan had approached the officials after the game, when it was actually his father, who has since apologized for it.
Stephenville scored 48 the 1st time around against Aledo ...
… and now they get shut out?! What the heck?! Looks like Aledo is more than just JGray this year.
A lot of their defenders
are actually pretty young. I think the major difference is the in-season development by those young players, though I’m not sure how many guys they are losing on that side of the ball.
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Burnt Orange Nation
by Wescott Eberts (GoBR) on Dec 5, 2011 12:53 PM CST up reply actions
Energy, enthusiasm and passion,,,BRING IT!
There are a lot of bigger and badder young men down here that can help him temper the negative aspects. My guess is he will be under the watchful eyes of Sir Wylie. You cannot teach enthusiasm for the game. Cannot wait to see him in Burnt Orange.
If a man is alone in the woods and he speaks, if no one hears him,,is he still wrong?
Swagguh
A little attitude is what the Horns need right now.
where can we find a QB with attitude?
The guys that do have attitude aren’t the biggest badasses on the field(yes, talking to you Blake and Keenan).
by TheRealDirtyP1 on Dec 5, 2011 10:51 AM CST up reply actions
You don't think Case is a badass?
Ok, I just made myself laugh a bit there.
by DudeAbide on Dec 5, 2011 10:54 AM CST up reply actions 2 recs
Exactly
There’s a difference between being a douche a me-first player and have swag. J-Gray is about the latter.
Follow me on Twitter @GoHornsGo90
I read about this in the paper Sunday, and after seeing it, are you effing kidding me?
I would expect some kind of apology from the official(s).
If the game were close, would they have called that penalty? If Aledo was down one touchdown, would they have called it? I’m in the camp of calling the game the same way from start to finish. If he slows down and stops right at the goal line, is that taunt? If he zig zags instead of running a straight line, taunting? SMH.
It was taunting, obviously. He was looking back at the opponents chasing him.
And it being the 2nd unsportsmanlike penalty for him in the game, it was a textbook ejection for the refs. This is on JGray, not the refs. I’m just glad it didn’t affect the outcome of the game cuz I think he’s a very good kid.
He glances back twice while running twenty yards...
That is not looking back at your opponents while high-stepping, that’s making sure you don’t get caught from behind.
If you're looking backwards out of fear of being tackled
then maybe you shouldn’t be high stepping
"Well, a guy did a Horns down to him. You just shouldn’t do that."
Bingo!
SwimTex summed it up pretty well below:
“The second call was an accumulation/message call. By itself, the second flag doesn’t get thrown.”I didn’t think it was that big of a deal, either, but the 1st call created a history with the refs in this game. Maybe he’ll learn from it & take a cue from Ricky Williams & Barry Sanders: Run over & around people, score the TD, hand the ball to the official, & enthusiastically celebrate w/ your teammates afterwards.
Looks Like Kevin Sumlin
…got an early start on the next Aggie losing streak.
I was at the game
JG was jawing with a Stephenville player(#88) when the two teams were going towards the field house for halftime. The refs had to get involved and they were fed up by the time JG taunted again as he was going in for the 2nd TD. Tough call for such a heated rivalry but it was the right one.
by T Michael Stephenson on Dec 5, 2011 11:15 AM CST reply actions
Stephenville Kicker Blake Barnes
I sat on SHS side and everyone said he is not being recruited. He has not missed a kick all year and he hit two 62 yd FGs in warm-ups. Horns should take a look at him!
by T Michael Stephenson on Dec 5, 2011 11:20 AM CST reply actions
Blake Barnes, that you?
I’ll be sure and pass on your info to Mack….
by SneezyBeltran on Dec 5, 2011 7:17 PM CST up reply actions
Crappy call
But he should have been more careful after the first penalty. I guess the rule in high school is 2 personal fouls = ejection? If that’s the case, then he should have known better and his coaches certainly should have been reminding him. If it’s not an automatic ejection after 2 PFs, then why in the world did high stepping get him kicked out of the game?
"Well, a guy did a Horns down to him. You just shouldn’t do that."
The high-stepping was viewed as taunting by the officials.
I’m not sure of the rule but unsportsmanlike penalties are probably treated as the exact same thing as a personal foul or unnecessary roughness. After 2 are called on the same player, they’re ejected, automatically.
This is why playing offense sucks
On offense you make an amazing play scoring a TD you have to walk off the field like nothing happened. At least on defense you can hit someone. Generalizations i know, but I get tired of the “players are not allowed to show emotion/celebration” nonsense. The throat slashing thing fine but my God man let the kids talk a little and let em play it out on the field cleanly.
Because being a Texas fan means never having to say you're sorry.
You can't high step like that
it’s an easy call. It was taunting.
Not true
Kids do it all the time. I see it every Friday night. The second call was an accumulation/message call. By itself, the second flag doesn’t get thrown.
"A lot of people look for the easy way to do anything, in swimming there is no easy way." - Eddie Reese
You may be right.
We need to see how the rule is printed to see what the refs are responsible for enforcing.
Just watched it ...
What a crap call. I like the kid. Good grief. It’s an emotional game played by young men. Get a grip.
I will change my legal name to "I. M. Harsin" if Texas scores on a Statue of Liberty or Hook-and-Ladder vs. OU."
by Distributor of the Football on Dec 5, 2011 12:36 PM CST via mobile reply actions
I'd rather him get kicked out of a High School game and be humbled...
then show up on the 40 acres thinking his shit doesn’t stink.
High-stepping is generally a sign of being happy with your play
Not showing up the opponent. The fact that happiness in football is becoming illegal is quite saddening.
Follow me on Twitter @GoHornsGo90
Unnecessary happiness: 15 yards.
I told the people of my district that I would serve them as faithfully as I had done; but if not ... you may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas. -- Davey Crockett
by pleaseplaykindle on Dec 5, 2011 3:38 PM CST up reply actions
Need more creative TD Dances/Scores
Haven’t seen a good one in our program since a Quan Cosby dive in the 2009 Fiesta Bowl
I disagree.
We need more ACTUAL TD’s.
I may be married but my ass belongs to Chloe Denmark.
The University of Texas at Austin: A limousine ridin', jet flyin', kiss stealin', wheelin' dealin' son of a gun. WOOO!
Well maybe we can justify this unsportsmanlike conduct as youthful exurberance that
can be overcome with some coaching and mentoring…but I just hope he is not another Maurice Edward Clarett of tOSU fame.
Great players make great coaches, but great coaches make champions." DKR circa 1964
My god
That is ridiculous. Two unsportsmanlike penalties is a far cry from what Clarett did…
Follow me on Twitter @GoHornsGo90
Nothing
We have seen from J Gray says this kid is dumb, selfish, or all about himself. Considering he’s the biggest RB recruit in this state since Adrian Peterson, and holds just about every meaningful rush record, I’m very impressed with how he handles himself.
I don’t expect him to embarrass himself or the university ever. Good, smart, level-headed kid.
Hook 'em! @michaelpelech10 on Twitter
by The Audit Horn on Dec 5, 2011 3:47 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Amen
This is the most overreactive page I’ve seen in a long time on BON that didn’t have to do with a gamethread.
Follow me on Twitter @GoHornsGo90
Knee jerk reaction
Kid is just being competitive. I’m not wild about the sterilization if sports. Have some fire. As long as you’re not making a fool of yourself, then enjoy your success.
I can only imagine how many 15 yard penalties I’d draw if Call of Duty had referees.
Hook 'em! @michaelpelech10 on Twitter
by The Audit Horn on Dec 5, 2011 3:58 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
I mean shit
Some kid threatened to kill me in an intramural basketball game this year 3 minutes into the game. Why? I nudged him off me when he was holding onto me on defense so I couldn’t move. Talking smack comes with doing something competitive. Especially something competitive and physical.
Follow me on Twitter @GoHornsGo90
"2 hits..."
“… me hittin’ you, you hittin’ the floor.”
I did
I said calmly, “No you won’t.” He then proceeded to argue with me as if he were actually going to change my mind. “Yes I will!” “No you won’t.” “YES!”
It was actually pretty funny. I was hoping he’d at least take a swing so I could shoot free throws.
Follow me on Twitter @GoHornsGo90
He should have
Thrown the horns down.
That seems to be okay at the college level.
by thirtyand0 on Dec 5, 2011 4:25 PM CST via mobile reply actions 2 recs
Color Me Old School
I grew up watching Lombardi/Shula/Landry football and so much of this stuff was not a part of the game. Sure, it was a dirty, mean game in the trenches, but when someone scored, made a sack or INT they were taught to act like they’ve been there before. Celebrations were as a team on the sidelines unless it was sooo special then as a team on the field. Everyone was taught to know great plays happened because EVERYONE did his job, made the block, created the hole, sold the fake, were where they were supposed to be.
All this self-promotion wasn’t tolerated. Don’t get me wrong, I love seeing emotion as much as the next fan and don’t necessarily want to totally go back to that era (I do still hate long hair coming out of helmets though), but there is wayyy to much self and “I” on display in team sport for my tastes today. I hope Gray embraces this as a valuable moment he learns from, and tries to channel his emotion into something more mature and reflective of the work his teammates do that allows him to be as successful as he has the potential to be.
by RMHorn on Dec 6, 2011 7:11 AM CST via mobile reply actions
And Remember...
High schoolers emulate their heroes in the pros who they see on Sportscenter. It’s not like they were always flashy and then carried it to the pros. HS coaches rightfully should be teaching better sportsmanship at that level then what’s seen in the pros. Don’t we as a society want to teach our children values we hold up as ideals while they’re under adult supervision? Most of the kids he’s playing with won’t play ball in college, HS is and should be about teaching character, not “look how much better I am than you” type behavior. Bring the emotion but let your body of work talk for you. Players were just as emotional before SC debuted on ESPN, they just showed it differently. So should kids, we don’t have to let television determine the values kids adopt, parents and responsible adults still have a lot to say.
by RMHorn on Dec 6, 2011 7:36 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
Well said.
It’s a different era in sports but there’s still a ton of team-first / me-last players out there. Take heart in that.
And Remember...
High schoolers emulate their heroes in the pros who they see on Sportscenter. It’s not like they were always flashy and then carried it to the pros. HS coaches rightfully should be teaching better sportsmanship at that level then what’s seen in the pros. Don’t we as a society want to teach our children values we hold up as ideals while they’re under adult supervision? Most of the kids he’s playing with won’t play ball in college, HS is and should be about teaching character, not “look how much better I am than you” type behavior. Bring the emotion but let your body of work talk for you. Players were just as emotional before SC debuted on ESPN, they just showed it differently. So should kids, we don’t have to let television determine the values kids adopt, parents and responsible adults still have a lot to say.
by RMHorn on Dec 6, 2011 7:36 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
Please Delete This Double Post! Ooops
by RMHorn on Dec 6, 2011 7:38 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
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