Emotional Easley Returns as Mr. Two Bits
Thursday, October 1, 2015 | Football, Chris Harry
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- He won't have Chucky. He won't have his Super Bowl ring. The former he passed on to a Florida teammate, the latter he left at home.
But Dominique Easley will have his Gator roots and Orange and Blue blood flowing when he exits the south end zone tunnel Saturday night.
That's all the former, fiery UF defensive lineman will need to be this week's honorary Mr. Two Bits when the No. 25 Gators (4-0, 2-0) clash with No. 3 Ole Miss (4-0, 2-0).
“Just being back in The Swamp is going to make me happy. It's going to be fun,” said Easley, now with the New England Patriots and taking advantage of a bye week to come back for one of the most hyped home games in several seasons. “I'm seeing some good things happening. They look explosive.”
Easley, a first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection in 2012, suffered severe injuries to both knees during his four UF seasons. The first came in the final regular-season game against Florida State in 2011, his sophomore year. The second, during a Tuesday practice his senior year in 2013, ended his collegiate career.
In between, though, Easley was an absolute force, racking up 65 tackles, including 18 for losses and 5.5 sacks in just 26 games for one of the best defenses in the country. Though he had just four tackles in the first three games of '13 season before the second injury, Easley was virtually unblockable in those games, occupying offensive linemen and blowing up plays in the backfield.
And he did it all with his trademark Chucky doll in tow (left).
The Patriots, despite the injury history, selected Easley in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft with the 29th overall pick. Knee issues crept back up late in his rookie season. Easley went on injured reserve in December, right when the Pats were gearing up for their Super Bowl run.
But he bounced back with a terrific preseason this summer, only to suffer a hip pointer injury that kept him out of the opener. Easley was back in the full rotation Sunday in a 51-17 route of Jacksonville. Though he only carded a couple tackles in that game, Easley's quickness was on full display and allowed his teammates to make plays.
That's what he does.
Coincidentally, that's sort of what he plans to say to the former defensive brothers he once mentored -- like Jon Bullard, Brian Poole and Marcus Maye -- when he's reunited with them in the tunnel Saturday night in advance of the big showdown with the Rebels.
His message?
“Do what we do.”
OK, so Easley will deliver it wearing a yellow shirt and khakis, but the words and the way he delivers them won't be lost.
Not on the players. Certainly not on the crowd.
