April 16, 2008
Florida recruit fumbles BCS Championship trophy
Tampa Plant High School tight end Orson Charles had a fumble this weekend that he is not going to forget any time soon.
According to the Tampa Tribune, Charles broke the BCS national championship trophy when he butt-bumped the Waterford crystal trophy off its pedestal outside Urban Meyer's makeshift office.
While in Gainesville competing in a Nike training camp, Charles said he and another prep player were touring the football stadium. That's where the BCS trophy, along with Gators quarterback Tim Tebow's Heisman Trophy, were on display. While leaning over to take a photo of the Heisman, the 6-foot-3, 225-pound Charles said he bumped into the BCS trophy - he thinks with his backside - and knocked it to the ground.
"If you were outside the stadium, it was so loud, I think you would've heard it shatter," Charles said. "Nobody said anything for 10 minutes, then Florida assistant Coach John Hevesy said, 'What do I do? Who do I call? Did you know that was $35,000!'
"I just stood there with this baby look and said, 'Sorry.' Then he joked and said, 'You've got to commit to Florida now.'".
The damaged portion of the trophy (ie. that big honkin crystal football) is valued at $8K, so the Gators will be out of pocket nearly $4K to replace it.
No word yet on if Urban Meyer will attempt to sell pieces of the broken trophy to Bull Gators to supplement his "Dinner & a Movie with Urbie" program. (I kid. I kid.)
Charles, who has an offer from UF and 15 other schools, but counts Miami as his first choice, is likely to have several fumble related nicknames by the time he signs an LOI. Of course, if he commits to UM, then he's likely to be the legendary TE who ruined Florida's national championship... or some such.
HT: Fanblog's resident boy-genius, Gatorhippy
Comments:
Bleed Crimson
posted on April 16, 2008 9:24 PM — 72.146.25.152 — link — abuse?
said:
mannn. that must've felt awkward.
but believe it or not, he actually might not commit to florida BECAUSE of this happening. can you imagine how hard it would be as a freshman there if you were known as the guy who broke the NC trophy?
i know it would make ME feel a little uncomfortable walking into that locker room for the first time.Regan said:
posted on April 17, 2008 5:28 AM — 75.182.53.208 — link — abuse?
Zac (#2):
gatorhippy (#3):Geez...this is a really rotten time to be a fan of both Clemson and Miami. My third team is Tennessee; I really hope Fulmer can keep his trap shut.
As it is, I feel the need to go to Hooters to prove my straighthood.
Or maybe I'm just in the mood for some darn good wings...
Tampa Hurricane
posted on April 17, 2008 8:34 AM — 24.96.199.254 — link — abuse? said:
The story about this that was on the Tampa local news stated that this was the forth time that Florida has had to replace the crystal ball part of the trophy. One would think that after breaking the first couple, someone from Florida should be intelligent enough to keep the trophy in a safer place.
BayouBengal said:
posted on April 17, 2008 9:54 AM — 72.149.254.106 — link — abuse?
Aww that sux!
Making a new one isn't gonna be the same UF, it just isn't!
Thats not the Trophy Urban held high above his head! Chris Leak never kissed this "new" trophy!
But I guess if this is the fourth time.....then they're over it by now!
Tampa Hurricane
posted on April 17, 2008 10:36 AM — 24.96.199.254 — link — abuse? said:
gatorhippy, I would agree that they could have misunderstood; however, it was reported the say on multiple different stations. Even if they counted the initial duplicate that would mean that there were still three of these broken.
How about UF spending the money to at least rope off the area around the trophy instead of replacing all the broken ones. One would have to assume that it they are costing them $4,000 out of pocket to replace it, it would be a lot cheaper in the long run to rope it off, or place a display case around it.
gatorhippy
posted on April 17, 2008 10:40 AM — 209.16.115.5 — link — abuse? said:
T-Cane (#16):
Not sure where they are getting their info...
But it is wrong and the first I've heard of it...
What stations were reporting that?
There has only been two 2006 BCS MNC trophies...
The one you saw after the game and the extra that was ordered shortly thereafter...
As to which was broke the other day?
No one knows exactly which one it was...
OU-Ron
posted on April 17, 2008 12:38 PM — 216.201.209.146 — link — abuse? said:
I can see it now, one of the the requirements for recruiting players.
We have to measure your assU. of S. C. 1978 said:
posted on April 17, 2008 3:25 PM — 97.82.175.124 — link — abuse?
Speaking of the NC, did you see this story?
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/2008-04-16-football-playoff_N.htm
War Eagle Atlanta
posted on April 17, 2008 7:37 PM — 68.211.176.68 — link — abuse? said:
Well, Kev, it WAS a NC trophy, after all. (strong emphasis on WAS...) Only one degree of separation from the original topic. A loose connection, I'll grant you, but we've done worse...
ALCOA presents You Make the Call: No thread hijack!
Tom Blogical
posted on April 17, 2008 10:19 PM — 24.95.77.153 — link — abuse? said:
I have two things to say, both stolen from the Simpsons.
...and...
No offense, Gator fans...I know it's better to have a busted Waterford crystal trophy than not having one from either 2006 or 2007. ;-)
Zac said:
posted on April 18, 2008 3:24 AM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse?
It all seemed to happen too easily to suit me. I'm surprised something like a Heisman Trophy or National Championship Trophy aren't on their own pedestal and under plexi-glass. If it was that easy for a visiting prospective recruit to knock it over, what's to stop some frat from pulling off the "big heist" during Hell Week? Besides, being out in the open like that, could you imagine having to dust that thing???
(So, have any of the pieces shown up on e-bay?)
War Eagle Atlanta
posted on April 22, 2008 5:31 PM — 68.211.176.68 — link — abuse? said:
I thought it was George who got no soup one year, U of SC...
That's essentially what you get if you get h'd on here. "No comment for you. Come back, one year!"
It's the Amish equivilant of being shunned on fanblogs...
Or blacklisted in Hollywood...
Or having your blog get blasted by Media Matters...
Or getting Dixie Chicked...
Zac said:
posted on April 16, 2008 4:30 PM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse?Sign him up, Urby. Put that talent to work on the field where it belongs. If this kid can destroy $35,000.00 with his butt, imagine what he can do to high dollar kids with the rest of himself.
Just don’t let him be the one to loft it, when you guys win your next NC, should he still be around, that is. That would make for embarrassing press. I can see the head-line now. "FL LB Destroys NC Trophy For Encore After Destroying Contender U." OWWW!!!