The Athlete Likeability Scale – Revisited

Not too long after I started The Bull Gator, I released the

The rules:

1. An athlete that attended your school can’t be lower than a 6. If he willingly chose to attend the same school as you, he is owed at least this much. However, there are some exceptions: athletes who transfer, individuals who get into trouble or do something stupid, etc.

2. An athlete that attended one of your school’s primary rivals can’t be higher than a 5. You can respect a person’s talent and ability, but you cannot cheer for him. In rare situations, the Derrick Brooks Clause can be used. Athletes who end up with your favorite pro team AND are standup individuals can be cheered for. It must be both! He can’t lead your team to the playoffs one year and then get tased the next.

3. The scale has nothing to do with what you think of an athlete’s ability, but just how much you like them. Samari Rolle has had a good pro career, but I still don’t have to like him.

Release during March Madness, the original scale used basketball players as examples. Now that the best sport in the world is underway, it’s time for the football list:

0 – Darnell Dockett – Any Gator fan should hardly be surprised that Dockett earns no points.

1 – Geno Hayes – Hayes is only slightly easier to stomach than Dockett. The reason he gets even a 1 on the scale? Hayes did virtually nothing against the Gators on the field during his career. He talked about stopping Tim Tebow, and then watched time and time as the Heisman winner ran around or by him.

2 – Travis Stephens – In a game postponed due to 9/11, Stephens prevented UF from getting a shot at the national title by rushing for 226 yards and 2 touchdowns. To make matters worse, that year would end up being Steve Spurrier’s last in Gainesville.

3 – Tee Martin – Martin did what Peyton Manning couldn’t – he beat Florida. Not only did he beat the Gators, but he led the Vols to a national championship that year. UF would only lose one game the rest of the 1998 season – to FSU, the team Tennessee would beat for the title.

4 – Ray Rice – 158. 202. 181. Those are the single game rushing totals for Rice each of the times he faced USF during his career. In the last two, Rutgers won by only five points combined. Rice wasn’t a bad guy, but the Bulls never stopped him on the field and I cursed him many a time.

5 – Peyton Manning – Manning ranks as the most likeable former Gator rival. When he was playing for Tennessee, I couldn’t stand the guy, but he never beat Florida so that helped ease the hatred. Since leaving Knoxville he helped Tony Dungy get a Super Bowl ring and put in one of the best Saturday Night Live performances in recent memory.

6 – Nafis Karim – Who? Exactly. I remember Karim because he was at Florida when I was. He was never the best player, but never the worst. He came up with a few big catches during his career, but unless you are a big Gator fan, odds are you’ve never heard of him.

7 – Marquel Blackwell – Blackwell holds virtually every USF passing record. He was a star during the Bulls early years. However, as USF switched conferences and improved, people started to forget about Blackwell. In another 20 years, he may still be mentioned, but much better players will have suited up for the Bulls.

8 – Matt Grothe – Grothe is easily the greatest player in USF’s short football history. He has helped the Bulls earn national recognition and has been the signal caller during two of the biggest wins in team history – Auburn in 2007 and Kansas this year. The reason he doesn’t rank higher is his slightly erratic play. Grothe has made some questionable decisions over his career and can be frustrating to watch in some games. Overall, he is a very good player, but he needs to take USF to the next level before all is said and done.

9 – Tim Tebow – Why isn’t Tebow a 10? Take a look at the individual who is and you’ll see why. Tebow was a part of the Gators’ 2006 national championship team, but not the leader. He did win a Heisman Trophy during his first season as a starter, but UF also lost four games. If the Gators can get another championship during the next two years or even put together a couple of top five finishes, Tebow should easily earn a 10.

10 – Danny Wuerffel – Was there any doubt he would be atop this scale? Wuerffel led the Gators to four straight SEC championships and the school’s first national title. He is a charitable individual and definitely a role model.

There are my examples, so give me yours. Which players can you not stand? And which ones do have an unhealthy level of man love for?