Kevin BrockwayGainesville Sun
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Florida football defensive lineman Princely Umanmielen is looking forward to wearing black jerseys for the first time in school history on Saturday against Arkansas (noon, ESPN2).
"About time, man," Umanmielen said. "We've been waiting on those for a while."
But as cool and sleek as the jerseys are to Florida Gators players and coaches, what the jerseys represent is important as well. As part of "Salute To Service" week, the jerseys will honor military veterans and first responders in a variety of ways.
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Instead of names on the back of the jerseys, five words that represent the teamwork and core values of military members and first responders were chosen. The five words include commitment, courage, excellence, honor and integrity.
Throughout the week, Florida football coach Billy Napier has had different members of the military and first responders address his team following practice. UF players visited the VA Medical Center in Gainesville on Monday.
Napier said he built around a similar theme when his former Louisiana players wanted to wear black uniforms.
"It's been beneficial for the kids," Napier said. "I think ultimately there's an awareness. We have a game that has a platform. We can do some good. Ultimately I think that's what we're trying to do."
How it has impacted Florida football coaches, players
As a college football player and student at Furman on Sept. 11, 2001, Napier said the attacks on the Twin Towers and the response from first responders and the military had a profound impact on his life.
"There's a generation of people that were affected from 9/11 to some degree," Napier said. "You look at the recruitment of all branches of our military, the increase in membership that they saw. I think you get into becoming a head coach. I think being around your platform, there are things you get a chance to emphasize with your players."
An emotional speech came when retired Army Staff Sgt. and Purple Heart recipient James Slayton addressed the Gators following Tuesday's practice. Slayton is a technical assistant who has been a regular at UF practices since the spring.
"James is a part of our team," Napier said. "I mean, he works with us each day. I think when I listen, there's a lot we can learn from the selflessness that’s associated with choosing that path in life ...
"You also can hear in their voice the importance of brotherhood, of the unity, the people that they went through training with and ultimately the people that they went into battle with."
Several UF players have a family connection to the military and first responders including tight end Hayden Hansen, whose grandfather and great grandfather were veterans of Vietnam and World War II.
"It's very important to know why we're wearing it," Hansen said. "We take a lot of stuff for granted. People put their lives on the line. People choose a career path. We respect it a lot."
