The media crowded in a hallway next to the Florida Gators’ locker room, surrounding wide receiver Michael McNeely after the team’s 38-20 win over Georgia. As offensive lineman Chaz Green exited the tunnel, he yelled out at McNeely, proud of the redshirt senior and former walk-on. Cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III, used to doing media, stopped to take a picture of all people surrounding his teammate in his first interview.
The postgame support was representative of the team’s bond and the boost McNeely’s lone play provided the Gators Saturday.
With 8:43 in the second quarter, Florida’s special teams unit took the field, seemingly to attempt a field goal in Georgia territory. However, something was off in the formation. Rather than the normal holder, Kyle Crofoot, McNeely was back to receive the snap. Georgia didn’t notice the slight difference and the ball never reached Frankie Velez’s foot, staying in the arms of McNeely instead. The wide receiver ran down a lane formed by Tevin Westbrook and Clay Burton for a 21-yard touchdown.
“Man, I’m going to have to take all those guys to out dinner, that whole field goal unit,” McNeely said.
Throughout the week the Gators had run the fake field goal with success in practice according to McNeely. The team had confidence in their ability to run, but also would have possibly called a timeout if they had not had the right look, according to head coach Will Muschamp.
“I’ll be honest with you, in my time at Florida, how many fakes have worked? One,” Muschamp said. “Texas A&M worked. We take situations in every game that we have things up and whether punt or field goal it’s all about the look.”
It was the first score in McNeely’s career, made even sweeter by the journey that led to it.
McNeely joined the Gators as a walk-on in 2011, appearing in seven games and contributing to the kickoff unit. A foot injury the following offseason would only allow McNeely to play the final four games of 2012. In 2013, earned more time with the team, playing in all 12 games on special teams and as a reserve receiver.
The persistence and progression of McNeely would pay off this August, as he and kicker Frankie Velez were awarded scholarships by head coach Will Muschamp. For McNeely, who was hoping for the scholarship, the announcement after a Saturday practice provided a lasting memory.
“It was a dream come true,” McNeely said. “That’s also something that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
For six years, McNeely has worked at Publix, now making around $10 an hour as a part-time employee. The day after he was awarded the scholarship, he went back to work at the supermarket. Head coach Will Muschamp said he uses McNeely’s hard work as an example to the team when players are dissatisfied with the little things in their lives.
“You know, you guys sit there and complain about this guy, go do what he does,” Muschamp said. “The guy’s unbelievable, he’s a great kid, he’s unbelievable.”
Saturday capped off a week of a lifetime for Mike McNeely. In addition to scoring a touchdown and defeating Georgia, McNeely received news this week that he was accepted into the university’s medical school. Even with the news, he’ll still work at Publix, the money he earns going towards his next endeavor. A college journey that has been fueled by hard work has been rewarded with opportunities.
Opportunities, like the one against Georgia, McNeely has been able to take advantage of.
“Man, I’m just so thankful for God and the way that he’s blessed me,” McNeely said. “This week has been amazing, probably the best week of my life in terms of all the news that I’ve gotten so I’m just thankful for all his blessings and the way that he’s put me in this opportunity.”
Great story! Thanks