Florida Gators
SEC East Challenge
McElwain welcomes Emmitt, all Gators back to campus
Wednesday, October 7, 2015 | Football, Men's Swimming & Diving, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Whenever former Gators star Emmitt Smith returns to campus it's always a special event.
Smith rarely made it back to UF during his 15-year NFL career in which he finished as the league's all-time leading rusher.
Smith was on the sideline Saturday during Florida's 38-10 victory over Ole Miss and first-year Gators head coach Jim McElwain was thrilled.
The 53-year-old McElwain isn't much older than Smith, 46, but he felt like a 10-year-old when he met Smith for the first time on Friday.
“Shoot, I was a little giddy,'' McElwain said. “I had a chance to meet one of the best ever at his position. Never would have thought that would happen.”
Smith spoke to the team on Friday and hung out in the locker room prior to Florida's upset of the then-No. 3 Rebels.
Florida safety Marcus Maye appreciated Smith coming to town to cheer on his alma mater. Smith played for Florida from 1987-89 and earned his degree in 1995 after his fifth season with the Dallas Cowboys.
“Having an NFL great and Gator great come back and share some knowledge and some of his experience with us, it was awesome because you don't get that everywhere,'' Maye said. “To have Emmitt on the sideline, having that performance in front of him, he was excited to see it.”
Former UF players Thaddeus Bullard, Matt Elam and Dominique Easley were also in attendance. Easley performed the role of Honorary Mr. Two Bits prior to the game.
McElwain hasn't been around UF's program long, but he hopes more former Gators visit to link the program's past to its present and future.
“I love the Gators coming back,” McElwain said. “Our guys got to understand they're carrying on a legacy that's bigger than them.”
