Getty ImagesThe NCAA announced earlier Thursday that Florida defensive lineman Sharrif Floyd would be forced to sit an additional game on top of the opener he missed and repay $2,700 after it was found the five-star 2010 recruit had violated the NCAA’s preferential treatment rules.
Shortly after the NCAA announced their decision, UF athletic director Jeremy Foley released a statement addressing the situation and left the impression that the university was not happy and did not agree with the ruling. A short while later, a statement attributed to head coach Will Muschamp was released, which erased any and all doubt how the football side of the athletic department feels.
Below is Muschamp’s statement, in its entirety and presented without comment, except for one thing: if my son were a top football recruit, I’d want him playing for that man.
Anyway, here it is:
“I’m angered, disgusted and extremely disappointed that Sharrif will have to miss two games.
In my opinion Sharrif is getting lumped into what is bad about college athletics. As we indicated in the statement Saturday night his issue was not related to sports agents, University of Florida boosters or his recruitment to Florida or anywhere else.
Sharrif is what is good about college athletics – his life is about survival, struggle, disappointment and adversity. I have recruited kids that did not know where they would sleep that night or what they would eat. Growing up, Sharrif was one these kids. Sharrif’s life is also about triumph, honesty, integrity, determination, perseverance and character. The NCAA stated that he received preferential treatment; there is nothing preferential about his life.
He grew up with only his great-grandmother and still sends her Pell Grant money so she can pay her bills. How many kids do you know that would do that? I know one – Sharrif Floyd.
I want to make it clear that this issue is not about sports agents, Florida boosters or his recruitment to Florida or anywhere else. The issue is about his survival and the only reason the NCAA, the SEC and the University of Florida were aware of these issues is because Sharrif brought them to our attention last February. He came forward because, as I said before, he is honest and because of his integrity.
The toughest day that I have had as a head football coach at Florida was the day that I had to tell Sharrif that he could not play in our game vs. FAU last week. I took away part of his family.
He had tears in his eyes and said “What have I done wrong?” I told him he did nothing wrong. It wasn’t any easier to tell him today that he would be missing Saturday’s game.
I have two sons at home- if they end up like Sharrif I will consider myself a successful father.”
Muschamp 1, NCAA 0
Good for you Coach BOOM!!!
Damn!
Thank you Coach Muschamp.
Wish you were around when he was being recruited. You’d have put a stop to what was happening.
halo81:
Listen di**head, stop implying something and grab your nut sack. What is it you’re trying to say???
Couldn’t agree more….the NCAA never can get it right.
Why not exonerate him and use him as a positive role model…let common sense prevail!!!
Got to love Coach Muschamp for shoveling it back into the NCAA’s pie hole!!!!
Sometimes you have to stand up for those who can’t stand up for themselves. I believe this is one of those times. I’m very proud of our new coach to show the courage to do so.
That’s what Gator Nation is all about!!!
Go Gators!!!!
Coach Boom!
Everybody against Forida…
Be afraid.
‘specially you, Satan.
signed,
Gator Nation
He still took the unallowed benefit. Come on Boom, some of these kids have had a tough time, but they have to learn they are NOT entitled. Life lesson.
thefiesty1, sometimes I believe you are an idiot, but you are spot on here
why is it that its ok for Floyd to take money, but the Ohio state players selling THEIR OWN ITEMS is illegal and ppl want to hang them for what they did and make an example of them with the death penalty
I question any of you out there, give me a difference between one poor kid selling his own memorabilia and another poor kid receiving money from boosters/benefactor?
Former UGA WR Greene sells his jersey to a friend (who had previously been turned down for agent status) for $750. He donates $1,000. to charity as reparation and gets a four game suspension.
Floyd violates the rules causing him to repay $2,700. and only gets three games. He should have been suspended for a minimum of four games and probably the season as the UNC players last year.
Obvious some schools get preferential treatment!
Trust me, the Gator boosters will be taking care of this debt for him. It’s already done.
Yeah canetic, if he were lucky enough to attend the ‘u’, then he would have boosters buying him yachts and hookers. U have absolutely no room to talk.Quit trolling Gator boards because youre jealous and bitter, its pathetic. The ‘u’ got what was coming to them, honestly its a bit overdue.
@goose’sbelt
It’s Duh-U.
Who wouldn’t want to go snort blow off a stripers a** with Michael Irvin.
This is only the tip of the iceberg @ Florida. My friend works @ the NCAA in Indy….watch out florida…here they come.
Hadn’t been following this story. After reading Muschamp’s statement, went back to see what was going on. Guess I’m tired on many levels because now I’m crying my eyes out.
I’m not a Florida fan, but wish some of the people commenting could yank their heads out of their backsides for 10 seconds and think about something beyond football and conference rivalries. As bad as I feel for that kid, I feel worse for fools that can’t feel a pinprick of compassion for his life circumstances because they’re so busy salivating over the idea of an NCAA investigation of Florida … which isn’t even hinted at here.
boldinshowers, you are just an idiot. And the circumstances here aren’t remotely related to Tattoogate except that both involved the Almighty NCAA and its asinine, hypocritical rules.
I admire Mischamp for expressing his disgust with the NCAA for what they’re doing to that kid. It’s time more coaches started speaking out about some of this stuff.
Wah wah wah Call the wahmbulance.
Muschamp is right. NCAA is hypocritical mess! Hopefully Emmert (former LSU chancellor) will improve it but doubt he can overcome good ole boy misfits. By the way I am alum and fan of another SEC school.
The response by Coach Muschamp is one of the many reasons I was disappointed we gave him a reason to leave Texas. Regardless of what Sharrif Floyd did or didn’t do, or his reasons, to have a coach support you like that speaks volumes especially considering these aren’t “Big” games.
Hard not to like this guy great hire for UF.
The supposely NCAA rules changes can’t come soon enough.
It’s rare for a head coach to publicly blast the NCAA and to passionately support his player. Good for Muschamp. He just gained tremendous respect from fans as well as his players.
roll tide
boldinshowers, I am an infrequent poster by choice. Everybody is entitiled to their opinion regardless of how ridiculous it may be. However what I and others on here take umbrage with is when a person gets on here and fabricates. That is exactly what you have done. You may or may not have a friend who works at the NCAA, odds are overwhelmingly against it and if you do you aren’t much of a friend betraying your “frineds” trust. Here is a fact though, this incident has nothing to do with recruiting. This has to do with people in his community where he grew up helping out an impoverished family. If it was anybody other than an athlete who turned out to be recruitable, it is a non story. Right or wrong, NCAA rules forbid a “prospective student athlete” from receiving any type of assistance. Would this stand up in a court of law, of course not but NCAA membership is voluntary, at least that is what has been ruled in attempted lawsuits before. So your BS diatribe about “look out Florida” is just that. This is not the result of an NCAA investigation and there is currently no investigation taking place that involves the University of Florida. Go find another rock to crawl out from under.
Love a coach who stand up to NCAA, when he knows they are wrong. As a Longhorn supporter
I miss Coach Muschamp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO COACH CHAMP…!!!!!!! we are the boys of florida!!
@Deb — you have a heart….but still get thumbs down? WTF???
maybe your rep?
@lakesidegator …
I’ve never been one who inspires neutrality, and that’s okay. If people pay attention, I have a heart, loyalty, and a lot of humor. I don’t take cheap shots at other people or teams unless they start with me or mine. But when that happens, I can be formidable. Some people don’t like that, especially from a woman. I don’t lose sleep over it.