Veterans Day, a retired U.S. Navy Captain, and an open letter to a quarterback
Tuesday, November 11, 2014 | Football, Men's Golf, Scott Carter
Gators quarterback Jeff Driskel scores on a 1-yard plunge at Vanderbilt. (Photo: Tim Casey)
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Gators quarterback Jeff Driskel has received more than his fair share of vile messages from anonymous critics on social media this season.
The fourth-year junior has stayed on the high road through what has been a disappointing season for Florida's opening-day starter, which is not surprising to anyone who has been around Driskel during his UF career.
Driskel didn't know it until Tuesday on Veterans Day, but he has a big fan in retired U.S. Navy Capt. E.R. Gilkison, whose letter to Driskel ended up on social media Tuesday.
Driskel from a Navy family... MT @OurTwoBits: On #VeteransDay, a Gator Vet writes an open letter to @jeffdriskel.. pic.twitter.com/ZDvGjoe4f2
— Scott Carter (@GatorZoneScott) November 11, 2014
Driskel is from a Navy family.
He was born in Jacksonville and lived there for the first few years of his life while his parents, Mary and Jerry Driskel, worked for the U.S. Navy. A Naval senior chief, Jerry was assigned to the U.S. Naval Base in Sasebo, Japan, when Driskel was 7.
Driskel had read the letter by Tuesday afternoon when he met with reporters.
"Before we get started here, I just want to say Happy Veterans Day to all the vets out there,'' Driskel said. "I'd also like to say thanks to Capt. Gilkison, who sent me a nice letter. I saw it on the Internet today and that was one of the most heart-warming things that I've ever gotten."
