Callaway considers that the low point of his eight-month ordeal.
Did the guy with a stoic exterior ever cry?
"The first day,'' he said. "I've been through some tough situations, but I'd say not being able to play football was the toughest." Antonio Callaway hauled in a career-best 78-yard touchdown reception earlier in a victory over Kentucky. (Photo: Tim Casey/UAA Communications)
Callaway returned home during the spring semester while the Gators went through spring camp. He remained enrolled in school and was finally cleared to return to campus and join the Gators for summer workouts in June.
He relied heavily on Sabrina for support as his coaches and teammates went about their business at UF uncertain if or when Callaway would rejoin the team.
"She just told me stay focused, keep doing my work, keep working out and don't stop,'' he said. "It's not the end of the world."
Callaway's absence ended in early August when he was allowed to rejoin the team. Former UF quarterback Treon Harris did not return.
Harris grew up in the same part of Miami as Callaway and the two developed a connection as college teammates.
However, some distance has grown between them.
"We don't talk as much as we used to,'' he said.
Despite all the uncertainties over the summer about his future, Callaway said "not once" did he consider transferring as Gators head coach Jim McElwain lent support throughout Callaway's time away.
That was a primary reason he wanted to stay with the Gators.
"I can go to him for anything,'' Callaway said. "Outside of football, I can talk to him and trust him."
Callaway's impact was felt from the start for the Gators (6-2, 4-2), who enter Saturday's game against South Carolina with an opportunity to clinch the SEC East if they win and Kentucky defeats Tennessee.
Callaway has played in six of seven games – he missed the North Texas game due to a quad injury – and leads the team in receptions (31) and receiving yards (485). Callaway returned a kickoff return for a touchdown against Missouri and rushed for a touchdown against Georgia, becoming the first player in UF history to account for a touchdown five different ways: passing, receiving, rushing, punt return and kickoff return.
"It's been fun to still be able to do what I love to do,'' he said.
Callaway remains a low-key figure around the Gators. Other than when he's on the field, Callaway prefers to stay out of the spotlight.
That was another aspect of his high-profile case that was uncomfortable for the sophomore.
"I don't really do too much talking," he said. "It was tough but I think I'm mentally tough. I'm built for it. I grew up in hard areas. I know how to overcome adversity."
Callaway understands there are critics out there. He isn't interested in what they say. Only those who know him.
"That's going to be on my name forever," he said. "I'm focused on the now."
