Joe Haden delivers a message to the Gators

There aren’t many better cornerbacks or players in Florida Gators history than Joe Haden.

Haden was the first true freshman to start at cornerback in a season opener in school history. He started 12 games that season, missing only one with an ankle injury and was a Freshman All-American. He was All-SEC as a sophomore and junior as well as a unanimous first-team All-American in his junior season and the seventh overall pick in the 2010 draft.

He’s been a great ambassador for the university and on Thursday he delivered this message to the team on Twitter.

“Dear Gators,

Listen, it’s very difficult for me to narrow down my feelings into one letter because Florida was one of the most special places I have ever been. The Gator Walk. Hearing the fans go crazy literally made me feel invincible. But I’m not going to lie. There was a time where it seemed like the program had lost its spark. That edge that really separated us. But I ain’t tripping. We gonna get it back. That’s why this Capital One Orange Bowl means so much to us.

This is the next step.

Right now, no other program in the state of Florida can touch us and that’s how it should be. But that’s not enough. When the Gators are playing at their best no team in the nation can touch us.

I’ve lived it.

Now it’s time for you to get us there. That’s the thing about Florida. It’s a tradition. There will be great players that come before you. There will be great players that come after you. What you do there during your time that’s what matters. We win this Capital One Orange Bowl, we’ll finish with the best record in nearly a decade.

That’s a huge step. That’s a huge opportunity. Don’t think it’s going to be easy. UVA is coming to knock you off. When you take the field in Miami, play your game. Ball out. Make sure you leave that stadium with absolutely zero regrets. If you do that it’ll be enough. Trust me. It’ll be more than enough.

Go Gators.”

My brothers at @GatorsFB: let’s get it!!! Take advantage of the opportunity and give it all you got, fam! It’s your time #CapitalOneOrangeBowl @CapitalOne @PlayersTribune #ad pic.twitter.com/9rVaNk7MyE

— Joe Haden (@joehaden23) December 26, 2019