Steve Spurrier still a Florida football treasure and Gainesville icon

Championship edition: Swampcast discusses Florida basketball, spring football

The Sun’s Kevin Brockway and Noah Ram reflects on Florda basketball’s national title and UF’s football spring game with Edgar Thompson of the Orlando Sentinel.

Steve Spurrier, former Florida Gators football player and coach, returned to Gainesville and enjoys playing golf and reminiscing about his time at UF.Spurrier accepted a position as UF’s ambassador and remains a dedicated supporter of all Gator sports.Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille has become a popular spot for fans and plays a role in UF recruiting.Spurrier’s legacy extends beyond his accomplishments on the field, impacting players’ lives and fostering lasting relationships.

Steve Spurrier played 18 holes of golf earlier this week.

Nowadays, the former Florida football Heisman winning-quarterback and iconic coach usually only plays nine. But playing in a group with his son, Steve Spurrier Jr., and current Florida Gators football assistant coaches Mike Peterson and Gerald Chatman, Spurrier felt energized.

It was a perfect spring day in Gainesville. Playing on UF’s Mark Bostick golf course brought back memories for Spurrier of his football recruiting visit to Gainesville in 1963.

A grad assistant was showing Spurrier around campus late in the afternoon and asked him what he wanted to do. Spurrier had just taken up golf back in Johnson City, Tennessee, and asked if UF had a golf course.

“So, we drove over there and teed off on No. 10,” Spurrier recalled in a phone interview with The Sun. “We sort of got lost and finished up on number 18. but anyway, on my recruiting visit I actually played golf on the university golf course in 1963 and I’m still playing like I did yesterday. How about that?”

For Spurrier, who turns 80 on Sunday, returning to Gainesville has brought joy to not just…

Source link : https://www.gainesville.com/story/sports/college/football/2025/04/20/steve-spurrier-still-a-florida-football-treasure-and-gainesville-icon/83044546007/

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Publish date : 2025-04-20 11:40:00

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