Several underclassmen who make up part of the Florida football program will have a decision to make in the very near future — remain in Gainesville for another year or make the leap to the NFL.
Based on the words of the father of one of those players, there’s at least one of them who will definitely not be in a Gator uniform when 2010 rolls around.
Bruce Black, father of junior safety Ahmad Black, was highly critical of head coach Urban Meyer, who the dad accused of disrespecting his son.
“I would let Ahmad stay if they would show him some respect,” Bruce Black said according to the Gainesville Sun. “I don’t think coach Urban Meyer respects my son. If he did, Ahmad would have started the first game (against Charleston Southern) instead of (sophomore) Will Hill. Coach Meyer favors certain players, and Ahmad isn’t one of them.
“I love the University of Florida and I love going to the games, but I think it’s a matter or respect for my son. It may be time for him to move on.”
There’s nothing quite like the smell of burning bridges in the evening, is there?
Let us hope the son is not a punk ass bitch whiner like the father. Man up and play.
Okay Bruce Black, it is disrespectful if the coach starts someone else ahead of your son. Coach Meyer didn’t want to disrespect Will Hill by starting a Ahmad instead of him. All coaches favor certain players, the ones that perform for them. Be sure and try this disrespect tactic on his NFL coach, I’m sure it will endear Ahmad to the coach. Your son is already in BIG trouble starting his working career with a chip on his shoulder. BTW, shouldn’t your son have some say in the matter of turning pro?
Looks like the sophmore is a better player than your son…it has nothing to do with respect, Meyer will play the peson who gives them the best chance to win….kinda’ obvious.
Respect, John dig deeper here you may see some reasons for Coach Meyers not starting Ahmad. For one lets look at his grades, that is disrespectfull to the Univ. of Florida providing this young man with a top notch education and Ahmad not taking advantage of this blessing. Mr. Black leave the RESPECT issue in the Hood. You should be proud of your son for playing for one of the finest colleges in the country and one of the finest coaches in the country. The OLE BALL COACH said it best. You are here first to get your education and second to play football. That is respect….
Just to give non-Gator fans some background info…
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20090918/articles/909189955?Title=Gators-have-safety-in-numbers
Black’s dad needs to shut up, period. Leaving a year early for the NFL isn’t in this guys interest. He may NOT be drafted. He is 185 soaking wet and doesn’t have the body type to be a run stuffing safety in the NFL. Part of the problem is that he has had issues keeping his weight up.
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_college_uf/2009/08/the-curious-case-of-ahmad-black.html
He doesn’t have the speed for agility to play CB. He is a tweener and those types are typically undrafted FAs or low round picks.
Love Ahmad Black for what he has accomplished. However, he is 5′ 9″ 185 lbs on a good day. I don’t even think the Buc’s can use a 185 lb safety. He is too slow for a cornerback in college let alone the NFL. Hopefully, he will have the sense to stay in school and get that degree because the NFL is not calling.
Will Hill is 6′ 202 lbs which blazing speed. He was the top recruit in 2008 class. You will see him in the NFL.
As a Gator fan, I have a question about this. Who cares??
I’m sorry gator_prof but depth was not the issue. Thereason Hill started that first game was because Urbie promised him an early start. So the Charlston start was just that, to fulfill the recruiting promise, not skill based. In that light it would definitely be disrespect to Black or to whatever upperclassman who would have started in his place.
I guess he disrespected Tim Tebow too by not starting him the minute he walked on campus…..
….I do agree with Bruce in one capacity though; Meyer does favor certain players, the players that give him the best shot to win, which he’s done at a .840 clip at three 1A schools, including two national titles playing out of the toughest conference in America (SEC)……
darlingknight27,
No, not the case at all. First off, simply put, Hill is the better player, the more complete player. Secondly, Black took it easy in the summer, slacked off on his grades and came in out of shape, while Hill busted his butt.
Black was not disrespected….players at UF EARN their playing time, it isn’t given to them. No early starts are promised to recruits. Think about the logic behind your statement. Hill committed to UF because he was promised a start against Charleston Southern? It is almost as illogical as Black’s dad saying his kid will leave early for the NFL draft, only not to be drafted.
Wow, think about being disrespected 32 times when no one drafts your talentless son!
This guy’s dad is an Earl Woods wanna be! Urban Meyer wouldn’t be the head coach for long if he played players he liked, over the most talented player. This guy is just trying to gravy train his son into the nfl, only problem is he’s not that good. If he leaves early, the only thing he’ll be doing with his father is selling maps of Florida along the highway!
whiney parent no wonder it produces a whiney player