GAINESVILLE, Fla. — With all the negative attention “weighing heavy on his heart,” Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes asked to serve a full-game suspension for apparently trying to gouge the eyes of Georgia running back Washaun Ealey during last Saturday’s 41-17 victory over the Bulldogs.
Coach Urban Meyer obliged Wednesday, saying it was in the Gators’ best interest that Spikes sit out Saturday’s game against Vanderbilt.
“I really don’t want to be a distraction to the team,” Spikes said. “I want the guys to prepare without any negative things going on, and I feel like if I would play, it would be a big thing going on. I’m just trying to stay out of the way and just motivate the guys.”
• Bobby Bowden, sounding like he plans to coach next year at Florida State, said he will choose the successor to longtime defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews, who intends to retire after this season.
Bowden, who turns 80 on Sunday, said he would give his designated successor, offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher, a lot of input in the selection, but that he would make the final decision.
Patrick, NASCAR nearing deal.
IndyCar star Danica Patrick is nearing completion of a two-year contract with JR Motorsports, the NASCAR Nationwide Series operation owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr., and a source close to the negotiations described the talks as being “in the final phase,” according to ESPN.
A deal is expected to be completed within a week or 10 days, but likely won’t be formally announced until the offseason. Patrick is negotiating to drive No. 7, her number in IndyCar. That would replace the No. 5, the second car at JRM.
• Toyota is pulling out of Formula One racing to cut costs and focus on its core business.
• IndyCar officials are expected to announce today that clothing maker Izod will become the series’ title sponsor next season.
Footnotes.
Greg Norman‘s slower-than-expected recovery from shoulder surgery will force him to miss the Dec. 3-6 Australian Open.
• Anthony Kim, saying “My parents want to see their boy,” will not be going to the Dubai World Championship to compete for the $7.5 million bonus pool, even though the American has easily qualified.
• Natalie Darwitz scored twice to help the United States beat Sweden 3-2 and set up a final Saturday against Canada in the Four Nations Cup in Vierumaki, Finland. Canada beat Finland 4-2.
• Lou Filippo, a boxing Hall of Famer who became a referee and ring judge, memorably counting out Sylvester Stallone‘s champion rival Apollo Creed in the film “Rocky II,” died Monday in Los Angeles after suffering a stroke. He was 83.
• Short track speedskater J.R. Celski is expected to resume skating in two weeks and said he’s confident he will recover from a deep gash to his leg in time for February’s Vancouver Olympics.
• North Carolina women’s basketball coach Sylvia Hatchell said Jessica Breland‘s Hodgkin’s lymphoma has gone into remission, though it’s unclear whether the senior will be able to play this season.
