Jeff Francoeur voices opinion on GHSA suspension of Gainesville players

There are strong opinions on the Georgia High School Association suspending 35 Gainesville High School football players for their quarterfinal round Friday after a fight broke out against Brunswick in a second round showdown.

Many believe the suspensions are too harsh after a Gainesville player was attacked by a Brunswick player at the end of a 42-0 Gainesville victory.

Social medias are abuzz about the ruling, as Atlanta radio talk shows and high school football fans are voicing their opinions.

That includes Braves legend and former Georgia high school football star Jeff Francouer. The current MLB broadcaster weighed in Tuesday night on Instagram.

See what he had to say.

What happened in Gainesville High School brawl with Brunswick?

It appeared that a Brunswick player ripped the helmet off the head of a Gainesville player before members of Gainesville's team came to defend their teammate. A giant melee between both teams ensued.

A GHSA ruling suspended 39 Gainesville players from its Class 5A quarterfinal Friday against Hughes before reinstating four players after appeal. That leaves 35 players suspended from the game.

Brunswick had 41 players suspended, a one-year postseason ban was levied and a $5,000 fine was issued.

What did Jeff Francoeur say?

Francoeur, who starred at Parkview High School in the early 2000s and is considered one of the greatest Georgia players of all time, disagreed with the suspension of the Gainesville players.

"I don’t have a dog in the fight but GHSA should be embarrassed. Going to ruin 35 kids ability to play in the quarterfinals because another school ripped helmets off and a 270 pound guy speared him without a helmet. 4 kids got suspended for throwing a punch and that is fine and well deserved," Francoeur's post reads. "But for coming on the field sticking up for a teammate and now after working all year you miss half your team in the playoffs. Come on GHSA you’re better than that. Get off your high horse and make this right. Have some common sense."

Gainesville coach Josh Niblett reacts to suspensions

Gainesville coach Josh Niblett pleaded for his team Tuesday during an impassioned press conference.

"...Are you just going to stand on the sideline? No, you're going to do what's natural," the coach said. "You're going to protect your brothers. And that's the way I raised these kids, to have each other's backs. That's what I think needs to be known here."

When does Gainesville football play in GHSA state playoffs?

The No. 4 Red Elephants are set to travel to No. 1 Hughes Friday night.

It's unclear if pressure from the public will sway the GHSA's decision. As of now, Gainesville is preparing to play without about half its team.

Atlanta radio debates Gainesville High School decision

Atlanta's 680 The Fan, which usually discusses pro and college sports, debated the decision Tuesday.

Former Falcon Brian Finneran and John Michaels discussed.

"That's a rule that we all know and that they've been taught," Finneran said.

"Right," responded Michaels. "I get all that. But you see one of your players get sucker-punched. You see a kid get a 50-yard sprint and blast somebody in the back. You're talking about 15 to 18-year-olds, and there's probably 10 to 12 coaches on the sideline. No matter how much they're yelling, they're not stopping it."

Ryne Dennis is the Deep South Connect Team Editor for Gannett/USA Today. Find him on X @RyneDennis and email at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Many voicing opinions on GHSA suspending Gainesville football players