Perry Dominici

Unless you’re living under a rock that doesn’t get ESPN+, we’ve all had to endure the scandals coming out of the Ohio State football program. Urban Meyer’s involvement in covering up for wide receivers coach Zach Smith’s domestic abuse case has been a mess. The head coach now faces a three game suspension heading into the season, one of the many uncertainties that lay ahead for the program. Meyer’s involvement puts him in quite the group of characters stemming from one of his former schools.

Urban Meyer’s time as head coach of the University of Florida is best characterized as dominant. Meyer won 65 games in 6 years at Florida. Besides his inaugural season in 2005, Florida won the SEC every year under Meyer’s control. And, he guided the Gators to two national championships.

Of course, Meyer isn’t the sole reason the Gators were a powerhouse during that 6 year stretch. Looking back on their rosters, you find the depth chart riddled with NFL talent. Not only were most of the guys that caliber of talent, but they all had pro-worthy stories, as well. The stories and memories associated with these players all seem too insane to stem from just one program, which is exactly why we’re revisiting the Gator alumni.

There’s been a recent outcry for a “30 for 30” on the subject, and I think we’ve already got a working title.

And, with the Urban Meyer development, now would be the absolutely perfect time for a documentary on where the Florida alumni has been since their glory days.

First of all, you’ve got Meyer. There may need to be more time for the dust to settle, but there is still more than enough for a story there. Urban Meyer has been a star for years, condoned as a household name in the football world. But, going back to Florida, the name that would probably come up first is Tebow.

Tebow is such an interesting story because, no matter what he does, he’s always a story. From his Heisman days now to his minor league baseball career, Tebow’s name is constantly in the news cycle. From knocking out the Steelers in the wild card round to that time he ran around Jets practice shirtless to his occasional single A dinger, Tebow grabs attention.

The biggest rival to Tebow’s story would be on the exact opposite side of the morality chart. Aaron Hernandez was a pretty terrible person. Both a star at Florida and in New England, he couldn’t escape his old life. He was a gang member and a murderer who went out on his own terms. The shot of him being walked out of his house with handcuffs on is hard to forget and would add to this iconic 30 for 30. Aaron Hernandez puts asses in the seats.

After those guys, you’ve got a whole list of great supporting storylines. Percy Harvin, awesome wide receiver, also occasionally strangles a Florida assistant coach (allegedly). Then you’ve got the Pouncey twins. Mike and Maurice Pouncey helped protect quarterbacks side by side at Florida. They also have way too much fun at their birthday parties. At their 2013 party, they rocked completely appropriate “Free Hernandez” hats, being the great team guys that they are. Then, at their 2014 bash, they yelled homophobic slurs at some guests and beat them up for “acting gay.” Fun, casual party stuff.

Of course Brandon Spikes would have to receive a mention. He was a standout linebacker while at Florida and was a first round draft pick for the Pats (lots of Patriots connections here. Really makes you think . . .). But, in 2015, Spikes was cited in a hit and run after he abandoned his car and claimed he hit a deer. Maybe his story isn’t as exciting, but Spikes was a generally insane person on the field. And occasionally he hits someone with his car, so sue him.

There’s plenty of other NFL names, too. You’ve got not-so-closeted racist Riley Cooper, all-pro corner Joe Haden, Janoris Jenkins (whose home was part of a weird murder mystery). You’ve even got the early days of (S)Cam Newton before he was run out of town for stealing a laptop.

Urban Meyer’s Florida years were a breeding ground for NFL talent. With all those big names and big personalities under one locker room, there has to be so much that went on that we don’t know about. Even without it, the storylines are bountiful. Of all the teams that could possibly be deserving of a 30 for 30, Urb’s Gators have to be towards the top of the list. So, please ESPN, make this happen.