Spurrier comments on Gamecocks domestic violence, drug policies

Domestic violence has become a hot-button issue in the sports world over the past year, and South Carolina Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier was happy to discuss it on ESPN’s Mike and Mike, as was reported by Robby Kalland of CBS Sports.

Naturally, Spurrier did not hold anything back.

I have had that rule I think every year I’ve been at South Carolina, so 10 years, and we have lost two players. I tell the team when they first arrive on campus, all the freshman know right now, if you ever hit a girl, punch a girl, whatever, you’re finished. You can go somewhere else, transfer somewhere else, but you’re not going to be on our team.

That’s just a rule I have, a personal rule. Some other coaches don’t have it. They think they’ll give a guy a second chance, but we don’t have second chances for that.

Spurrier then added to that with a short statement regarding his drug policies, specifically for marijuana.

“You can smoke pot and get lectured on it — three pots and you’re finished — and we have our rules for all our other things,” he continued. “We haven’t had anything happen [with domestic violence] in about eight years now, so I think it’s a good rule and if you enforce it it’s really helpful.”

Spurrier’s comments, specifically the ones on violence against women, come on the heels of football players, recently ones at Florida State University, getting themselves into trouble by doing just that. Former Seminoles quarterback De’Andre Johnson was dismissed from the team after being caught on video punching a woman in the face at a local Tallahassee bar, and is now looking to play at junior college for the upcoming season. His teammate, Dalvin Cook, is currently on indefinite suspension for also allegedly punching a woman outside a local bar.

Long story short, Spurrier has made it clear that he runs a tight ship and that he will not have any player who hits a woman or continually gets caught with marijuana on his team. Considering how that policy has led to him going 84-45 (44-36 SEC) with the Gamecocks, it looks like the Hall of Famer is doing something right.

South Carolina opens the season at home against the North Carolina Tar Heels on September 3.

Can’t get enough of Campus Sports? Follow us on TwitterFacebook and Instagram to stay updated with the latest news and exclusive giveaways!

*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports

Washington LB Drew Lewis dismissed from team
Washington LB Drew Lewis dismissed from team