The 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.”