Lake Mary Prep coach Buck Gurley played football at the University of Florida but grew up an FSU fan. (Stephen M. Dowell, Orlando Sentinel) |
During the football season, we are asking high-school players and coaches a question of the week. This week's question: What pro or college team did you follow growing up?
"My favorite college teams were Florida State and Miami. When I was first born, my dad had me dressed up in FSU gear because he was a big fan. As I got older, I moved away from Florida State and went toward their rival Miami. I liked a lot of the swagger their players had, and they have a lot of good players."
Jerod Fernandez, Lake Mary linebacker
"I grew up an FSU fan, and then I ended up playing for the [Florida] Gators. I grew up in Quincy, and everybody in that area is pretty much an FSU fan. The only pro team I liked growing up was the Denver Broncos when they had [Steve] Atwater and [John] Elway."
Sheddrick "Buck" Gurley, Lake Mary Prep coach
"Florida State. My dad played linebacker there for one year back in the '90s. I also follow the Philadelphia Eagles because I am a Michael Vick fan."
C.J. Jones, Atlantic running back/safety
"When I was a kid, I really didn't watch college football, but the Tampa Bay Bucs were my favorite [pro] team. I liked Tampa because of Mike Alstott. I thought he was the hardest-working, most powerful back in the NFL. Once he retired, I switched to the Patriots. Wes Welker is a huge reason why I currently like the Patriots. He is only like 5-8 and is one of the best receivers in the NFL, meaning you know that he works hard and never gives up."
Chase Kelly, Villages QB-cornerback
"I grew up right behind FSU stadium, so I followed them back then. But I don't follow them anymore. Now I cheer for the college teams that we have kids playing for, like Louisville and West Virginia. I don't follow anyone in the pros. I like college football because it isn't as much a business as the pros are."
Bud O'Hara, East Ridge coach
"I still follow the same teams to this day, Miami Dolphins and Miami Hurricanes. When I started following football, that was Dan Marino's rookie year. Where I lived [Riviera Beach], we got the Dolphins game on TV every Sunday."
Marlin Roberts, Gateway coach
"The Pittsburgh Steelers. I became a fan when I was a small kid in the '70s. My football idol growing up was Jack Lambert. I even had the number 58 when I played for Mainland. Still love the Boys from the 'Burgh!"
Tim Smith, Atlantic coach
"My favorite college teams were Florida State and Miami. When I was first born, my dad had me dressed up in FSU gear because he was a big fan. As I got older, I moved away from Florida State and went toward their rival Miami. I liked a lot of the swagger their players had, and they have a lot of good players."
Jerod Fernandez, Lake Mary linebacker
"I grew up an FSU fan, and then I ended up playing for the [Florida] Gators. I grew up in Quincy, and everybody in that area is pretty much an FSU fan. The only pro team I liked growing up was the Denver Broncos when they had [Steve] Atwater and [John] Elway."
Sheddrick "Buck" Gurley, Lake Mary Prep coach
"Florida State. My dad played linebacker there for one year back in the '90s. I also follow the Philadelphia Eagles because I am a Michael Vick fan."
C.J. Jones, Atlantic running back/safety
"When I was a kid, I really didn't watch college football, but the Tampa Bay Bucs were my favorite [pro] team. I liked Tampa because of Mike Alstott. I thought he was the hardest-working, most powerful back in the NFL. Once he retired, I switched to the Patriots. Wes Welker is a huge reason why I currently like the Patriots. He is only like 5-8 and is one of the best receivers in the NFL, meaning you know that he works hard and never gives up."
Chase Kelly, Villages QB-cornerback
"I grew up right behind FSU stadium, so I followed them back then. But I don't follow them anymore. Now I cheer for the college teams that we have kids playing for, like Louisville and West Virginia. I don't follow anyone in the pros. I like college football because it isn't as much a business as the pros are."
Bud O'Hara, East Ridge coach
"I still follow the same teams to this day, Miami Dolphins and Miami Hurricanes. When I started following football, that was Dan Marino's rookie year. Where I lived [Riviera Beach], we got the Dolphins game on TV every Sunday."
Marlin Roberts, Gateway coach
"The Pittsburgh Steelers. I became a fan when I was a small kid in the '70s. My football idol growing up was Jack Lambert. I even had the number 58 when I played for Mainland. Still love the Boys from the 'Burgh!"
Tim Smith, Atlantic coach
