Florida Gators
Rolex Championships (Day 1)
A Q&A with Gator great Jack Youngblood, who reflects on his life in a new book
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 | Football, Women's Tennis, Scott Carter
You never know where life is going to take you. Jack Youngblood is living proof of that motto.
As a scrawny linebacker/offensive lineman growing up in rural Monticello, Youngblood didn't know how much football would have a place in his future. He played on his high school team but had no real prospects for college until former Gators assistant coach Dave Fuller unexpectedly called him one day.
Back then, Youngblood certainly couldn't have imagined Hall of Fame coach John Madden saying this about him decades later:
“If a Martian landed in my backyard, knocked on my door, and asked me, 'What's a football player?' I'd go get Jack Youngblood."
That quote from Madden is on the cover of Youngblood's authorized biography, “Because It Was Sunday: The Legend of Jack Youngblood.”
The book is scheduled to be released on Oct. 1, the day the Gators host Alabama at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Youngblood will be at UF's Alumni Hall that day to sign copies of his new book, written by David W. Cooper and with a foreword by Rich Eisen of NFL Network.
Youngblood starred for the Gators from 1968-70 and was named to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1992. After leaving Florida, he played for 14 seasons in the NFL with the Los Angeles Rams and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001.
GatorZone.com caught up with Youngblood recently for a Q&A:
Q: What are you doing to remain a part of football these days?
A: I'm involved with the [NFL] a little bit with this head trauma thing. I've been trying to sit on some of the boards and sit on the [NFLPA Mackey-White Traumatic Brain Injury Committee] panel and try to find some answers to some of these issues.
Q: Do you feel like there is progress being made to understand some of these issues?
A: I think we're on to something to be honest with you. There is some new therapy out there that is being used today and it's showing tremendous, tremendous results. It's a matter of going through the process. The medical profession is sometimes a little slower than you want them to be.
Q: Your new book is coming out soon. What made you want to do it?
A: I wanted to go back and reflect on how this all happened. What was the story and the memorable moments to it? We created so many relationships over the course of the years because of the game. It was just good to look back and see how my parents and my grandparents, from that point forward, were part of the deal all the way to the end.
Q: When is the book getting released?
It will be out the first of October. Hopefully it will get some attention.
Q: What would you consider the primary message of the book?
A: There are a couple of messages. Why did we do this? Why did we play the game and play it at the level we did. I wanted to try and leave that aspect to the next generation and the generations to follow. That's the principle.
Q: What will Gator fans take from the book?
A: It will be fun, especially for our Gator guys and gals to reflect back on those days, some of us old-timers. It will bring back great memories.
Q: What do you think was the best day you ever had as a football player?
A: There were so many excellent days. Days like being asked by Coach Dave Fuller, 'Do you want to be a Gator football player?' That was one of the most momentous days of my life. Days like in February of 1971 – and I have no idea I'm going to get drafted – and I'm chosen as the 20th player in the draft that year. That's a great day. Those are two life-changing moments right there.
Q: Have you had a chance to meet new Gators coach Will Muschamp?
A: He and I have been on opposite paths it seems like. I've reached out and he's reached back. We've both tried and we haven't gotten there yet. But we're going to.
Q: You were a defensive player, what was your initial reaction when you heard the Gators had hired a defensive-minded coach?
A: I thought it was a great decision. I knew he had had great success, and with the talent he has to work with from the Southeastern area, he can have some huge success in front of him.
Q: John Madden has a great quote on the cover of your book. What are your thoughts on his memory of you?
A: He was a coach then, so we went up against John a couple of times. Knowing John Madden and seeing John Madden on television, you wouldn't expect him to have that kind of quote. [Youngblood said that with a hearty laugh]. It was great, especially coming from him.
Q: What were your options other than Florida?
A: That was the only school. Like I said, that was a life-changing day. It wasn't a national signing day and I had to the option of six different schools.
Q: You played for Coach Ray Graves. What impact did he have on you?
A: Coach Graves was so gracious. He was like a father-figure.
