Pinch me, I’m dreaming.
Mid-season, as it became more and more evident that my alma mater, the University of Florida, might be granted another shot at a title, my illustrious travel companion, the Don Calvino, booked a hotel room on South Beach in preparation for the festivities. The rooms on the beach are closet-like, making a Parisian domicile look spacious by comparison, but we didn’t plan on spending much time there as Mango’s, a South Beach staple, was within stumbling distance.
We descended upon South Beach the eve of the game and found ourselves surrounded by Oklahoma fans. They had replaced the snow birds in droves. While chants of “Boo-mer…. SOO-NER” echoed along Ocean Avenue, Gator fans were few and far between. Oklahoma pride even drowned out the Salsa/Merengue emanating from Mango’s, in which we spent about twelve hours of our trip. When in South Beach….
The night of the game, Cass, the Don Calvino and I weighed our pre-game options. We could either drive 45 minutes and take our chances on finding three seats together at an agreeable price (to us, far less than face value). Or we could spend another night in South Beach, safely leave the car parked for the night and use our funds more proficiently at one of Miami’s finer, whiskey-serving establishments. Needless, to say, we opted for the latter.
Brimming with anticipation, we strolled South Beach just before game time, looking for a place to settle. We came across one sports bar with about eight flat screen televisions overhead. The only flaw? This particular establishment, like most of South Beach, was overrun with raucous Sooner fans. As there were still minutes before kickoff, we pressed on with the hopes of finding a more Gator-friendly bar on the strip.
There wasn’t one.
So we walked back to the Sooner bar, only slightly tipping the fan ratio within. Gator colors worn proudly, hat turned backwards, we stood ready for another shot at infamy. Fans from both schools were cordial… but nervous.
The tone was set only ninety seconds into the game as Major Wright, the heir apparent to Reggie Nelson, laid a hit on Manuel Johnson that was reminiscent of Lawrence Wright back in the day. The Gators, while flashy, resent that ‘finesse’ label they’re given. They’re as physical and well-coached as any team in the nation and it showed in the BCS championship game.
The game was gut-wrenching and while many complained about the lack of offense, both defenses came ready to play. Two Sooner first half interceptions on Tim Tebow equaled his season totals. Two red zone stops against Oklahoma killed any momentum the Sooners hoped to bring into the locker room. The game was tied 7-7 at the half, a far cry from the expected offensive output.
I kept asking Cass whether Oklahoma fans looked nervous. He nodded discreetly.
As history would have it, the second half went Florida’s way. As playmakers Rainey, Murphy and Harvin all were hampered with injury, the Gators, led by their much-heralded savior, found a way… and all was good. 106 total rushing yards from Tebow. 171 all-purpose yards from Percy Harvin, arguably the most versatile player to ever don the orange and blue. The Gators converted on 12-of-17 third down conversions, most of them at key points in the ballgame. Key catches from role players Riley Cooper, Aaron Hernandez and David Nelson, a timely Ahmad Black interception, and a shovel pass option play for which the season might be remembered all gave Florida their second title in three years.
As I (briefly) held back the tears, it was time to hit, what else… Mango’s, but an odd thing happened on the way to celebrating a championship.
Oklahoma fans were incredibly gracious post-game. This would never happen in Baton Rouge, Knoxville or Tallahassee. We ran into about three different groups of Sooner fans that offered to buy us drinks in congratulatory fashion. Needless to say, we accepted.
But as a Gator, with the amount of success we’ve had lately in both football and basketball, I obviously expected a lot more hate and resentment, not necessarily from Sooner fans, but from fans in general. In fact, it has been quite the opposite. Sooner fans commended our program. In fact, and Sooner fans, you may not want to hear this…. But some few Sooner fans chanted “It’s Great To Be A Florida Gator”…. UNSOLICITED.
Even Cass, an old school Ohio State Buckeye, was pro-Gator that night. We have pictures of him wearing my Gator hat which I’ll spare you. But a Buckeye and a Sooner, two teams we’ve recently bested, supportive of our program and not calling themselves a Gator Hater?!? What’s with all the Kumbaya?!? Can a brother get even a little bit of hate? Don’t get me wrong, I know they’re out there. But there seems to be a great amount of respect for what Tony Dungy called ‘doing it the right way.’ And the Gators have done just that.
One broadcaster recently claimed if you don’t like Tim Tebow, that means there’s something wrong with you. Now that he’s announced that he’ll return for his senior season, another championship and/or Heisman Trophy would inarguably make him the best, if not most decorated player in college football history. He may already be. What other player has two Heisman Trophies and three national titles. Go ahead… I’m waiting.
So thus ends another glorious football season, with Florida atop the standings once again. Their only blemish, a one-point home loss to the Ole Miss Rebels, now made famous by Tebow’s Gipper-like press conference. He kept his word. With Percy Harvin allegedly leaning towards returning, the Gators should be the consensus number one next season as they have very few seniors on this year roster.
Maybe once again at the end of next year, as always, it will be great to be a Florida Gator.
