Following the Florida Gators brutal 38-28 loss to Tennessee, players took to Twitter on Saturday night and Sunday morning. Some with confidence looking ahead and others with embarrassment and sorrow.
WR Antonio Callaway:
On to the next 🙏🏽
— Antonio Callaway (@Ripbobby_G) September 25, 2016
Stupid mistakes in critical conditions! I got y’all #GatorNation no worries 🙏🏽
— Antonio Callaway (@Ripbobby_G) September 25, 2016
DL Antonneous Clayton:
This bounce back about to be real just watch, we have the best fan base best coaches and best support in the country!!!🔥🔥🐊🐊🐊 #foreverflorida
— Godspeed (@antonneousc) September 24, 2016
LB Vosean Joseph:
Never will that happen again 👿
— V.Joseph (@gloryboy_Sean) September 25, 2016
OL David Sharpe:
All Positive Vibes We good 🐊🐊
— D.SHARPE (@Sharpe_Theory) September 25, 2016
RB Jordan Scarlett:
Win lose or tie … I’m a GatorBoy till I die
— $carlettFever (@Famousscarlett) September 25, 2016
DB Duke Dawson:
Wasn’t the best performance from me and my brothers, but 🐊 nation I promise you we will be back stronger!!
— Duke Dawson Jr. (@7upya__) September 25, 2016
Keep all negativity away!!!!
— Duke Dawson Jr. (@7upya__) September 25, 2016
DB Chauncey Gardner:
… brush it off
— Chauncey Gardner Jr (@StillDat_) September 25, 2016
LB Alex Anzalone:
I’m sorry
— Alex Anzalone (@AlexAnzalone34) September 25, 2016
QB Austin Appleby:
I love my team. Wouldn’t wanna play for anybody else. The Gators will be fine. Gator Nation you will be proud of the way we will respond. 🐊
— Austin Appleby (@AAppleby12) September 25, 2016
CB Jalen Tabor:
— Teez Tabor (@_31Flavorz) September 25, 2016
Antonio Callaway and Duke Dawson’s posts on their mistakes specifically caught my eye. While some players refuse to own up to their mistakes, the two of them took responsibility. Dawson struggled to cover in the second half and was responsible for several big plays by Tennessee and Callaway got the Gators in trouble with field position all night by making poor decisions on punt returns.
Other responses like the one from Austin Appleby show leadership. Appleby could very likely still be the starter next week and the last thing the Gators need is for him to lose his confidence. Hopefully he and the rest of the team are ready to put the pieces back together this week.
Each player handles adversity in his own way, and how they continue to fight through it this week is critical to their success for the rest of the season.