Dogs mixed on pre-game handshake

By Tim Tucker

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

ATHENS — Georgia’s reaction was mixed to Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy’s concern that a fight might break out if his players and the Bulldogs engage in pregame handshakes Saturday — a gesture of sportsmanship requested of all teams in this weekend’s games by the American Football Coaches Association.

UGA linebacker Rennie Curran said there is nothing to worry about.

“We’re all mature guys,” Curran said. “We’re looking forward to nothing but a good, clean game. We’re not trying to start any fights. We’re a disciplined team. I don’t have any doubts about whether we can control ourselves walking to the field and shaking some hands. It’s a pretty simple act.”

Quarterback Joe Cox, on the other hand, indicated pregame handshakes are incongruous with football.

“I understand what it’s for, but me personally ... it’s not something I would just love to do,” he said. “I don’t think it’s necessary. I think you prepare all week to play an opponent, you play, and then you show sportsmanship at the end of the game. That’s just my view of sportsmanship in general.

“The last thing you want to really do before a physical game like football is go shake hands with everybody.”

Told about Gundy’s concerns about a fight breaking out, Cox said: “I think it definitely can happen, especially between teams that have bad blood. ... You have that many guys go to midfield to shake hands; somebody is going to say something they shouldn’t say, probably. When that happens, the whole team is on the field, and it could break loose from there.”

Georgia coach Mark Richt said he has no issue with the pregame handshakes for one game, but “I think it’s the home team’s decision ... We’ll do whatever they decide.”

If Oklahoma State decides to go ahead with the handshakes, Richt said he would caution his team against any sort of incident.

“I’d like to have all our guys who travel be able to participate in the game,” Richt said. “If you get in a fight, you’re out, you’re done. That in itself, I think, would keep things cool.”