Storyline: Will Grier’s season is over. The Gator QB was suspended this week for using an over-the-counter PED. He won’t be able to play until the middle of next season. How fair is that?
Courtesy: gatorcountry.com
It’s a puzzling situation in Gainesville.
The Gators up-and-coming star quarterback, Will Grier, was suspended for a calendar year for the use of performance-enhancing drugs. It’s odd to see a quarterback in such a situation, even more so in college. While it’s hard to commend the young man and hard to support him, too, I felt odd watching him have to address the media. He addressed his coaches and teammates about the issue and, quite frankly, that should have been enough.
The one-year suspension for a first-time offender is ridiculous. Antonio Gates, TE for the San Diego Chargers, returned this week after being suspended for taking performance-enhancing drugs. And, as with Grier, Gates had an excuse–not knowing what he was taking. But Gates’ suspension was for four games. Gates, who is a NFL veteran, an adult, and who has far more knowledge and resources than Grier was given four games, while Grier–a student, teen, and amateur–was suspended a full calendar year. There’s an unbalance there.
But please don’t sleep on Florida. In the weak SEC East–where the only competitor is the declining Bulldogs of Georgia–Florida will now start Sophomore Treon Harris at QB. Treon started games last year, splitting tine with Grier, so they’re not exactly throwing in a new guy. Most college backup quarterbacks are unknown, while Florida is able to bring in a ‘name’ player, one who has previous experience working with skill-position players.
Florida’s next test will be Leonard Fournette and the LSU Tigers. I think this is a winnable game for the Gators. Treon may be able to keep the ball rolling following the Gators’ big win against ‘Ole Miss.
Time will tell. And Grier will sit.
