Nearly 17 years after that dreary, rain-soaked, mud-all-over-the-place afternoon in Jacksonville, former Gator All-American running back Errict Rhett still recalls with crystal clarity what it was like walking off the field that day at the old Gator Bowl.
Rhett, after a school-record 41 carries for 183 yards in Florida's 33-26 win over Georgia, felt as if he weighed about 10 pounds heavier than when he walked onto the field for the annual clash between the Gators and Bulldogs in 1993.
"I did not change uniforms at all," Rhett said Wednesday here at the Nike Pro Combat Uniform Launch. "When I got out there, I realized that it was so muddy, the first thing I did when I went onto the field was a belly-flop. I wanted to get muddy."
As Rhett spoke about his signature game as a Gator, New York model Randy Franklin stood nearby on a podium wearing the Nike Pro Combat uniform the Gators will wear when they face Georgia on Oct. 30 in Jacksonville. To gain a better grasp of how different the Pro Combat uniforms are, Rhett tried on the helmet, shoulder pads and jersey to compare them to what he wore during his time at Florida and in parts of seven seasons in the NFL.
WATCH: GatorVision's Nike Release Event Recap
In its official description of Florida's uniform, Nike says the Pro Combat design is "37 percent lighter than current designs, relieving players of extra weight in a game that demands top speed,' and that the uniforms are made of material that "rapidly sheds sweat and water."
Rhett, 39, said they are definitely a departure from those he wore during his career.
"I could not believe how light the helmet is," Rhett said. "It looks like a combat helmet, but it's actually light as a feather. The shoes are speed. They weigh 11 ounces. I can't even imagine."
Nike unveiled its entire 2010 Pro Combat uniform series on Wednesday in New York at Skylight West, an event hosted by ESPN "GameDay" personality Chris Fowler.
Florida is one of 10 schools wearing the Pro Combat uniforms this season, joining Alabama from the Southeastern Conference and in-state rival Miami. Ohio State, Boise State, Virginia Tech, TCU, Oregon State, Pittsburgh and West Virginia are the other schools.
"This event is where college football and fashion kind of converge," Fowler said. "I promise you, fashion plays a key role in college football. The players care how they look, and probably too many of them actually factored (uniforms) into the decision to where they go to school."
Nike takes the uniforms seriously, sending representatives to each school to talk with coaches, players and administrators about potential designs. Florida officials say the school's participation has a lot to do with how much enthusiasm the players show in wearing a special uniform for one game each season.
Nike marketing director Leroy Ebanks said the alligator-themed Gator uniform – an alligator-skin motif is used on the jersey numbers, pants, gloves and footwear – ties into the school's tradition perfectly.
"The designers always go deep when looking at the history and the heritage of the program," Ebanks said. "When you think about Florida and what (Coach) Urban (Meyer) has done over the years, it's all about speed, power and toughness.
"Knowing that the Gator mascot represents those too, we saw the similarities … and that's the design we went with."
Fowler said he realized how big the Nike Pro Combat series has become with fans when "College GameDay" stopped at TCU last season when Nike unveiled the Horned Frogs' special uniform.
"That got one of the loudest ovations when the uniform came out," Fowler said. "These uniforms mean a lot to the fans and the players."
During Wednesday's launch event, each of the 10 schools was represented by someone associated with the school's athletic department. Rhett was Florida's representative, and former Hurricanes receiver Michael Irvin represented Miami.
Rhett and Irvin both commented on how the uniforms not only look cool from a fan standpoint, but that they can really impact a game because of their ultra-light design.
"I would have loved to worn one of these," Irvin said. "A guy can get faster by just pulling one of these on."
Ebanks said player performance is a key factor in Nike designing the uniforms. The athletic apparel giant is constantly trying to create and test products that may be commonplace on Saturday afternoons in the fall one day.
"(Players) want products that are lightweight and durable, so they can play the game at a quicker and faster pace," Ebanks said. "At every level, it's all about speed. It's these design innovations that allow these players to play the game at top speed."
Rhett, after giving Franklin that history lesson about the Gators, mentioned that he sure could have used one of the uniforms on that 1993 afternoon when he slopped through the mud and rain against the Bulldogs.
"(My uniform) was beyond soaked," Rhett said. "It wasn't just water; it was mud, and a lot of mud. You couldn't see any numbers at all."
After a brief pause, Rhett had one final thought to add.
"It all worked out pretty good that day."
Official Site: Florida's Nike Pro Combat Uniform
