Kevin Carter gets 1st-pitch call for Saturday night's 'Chomp at Trop'
Thursday, August 6, 2015 | Baseball, Football, Chris Harry
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Football practice started this week, as everyone knows, but a little baseball practice is on the mind of a former University of Florida star.
Kevin Carter, once an All-America defensive end with the Gators and later an All-Pro with the St. Louis Rams, can't remember the last time he tossed a baseball, but he plans on some playing catch with his son before throwing out the first pitch Saturday night when the Tampa Bay Rays host the New York Mets at Tropicana Field.
It's the second “Chomp at the Trop,” held in conjunction with Gator Boosters and the Tampa Gator Club, as the Rays paying homage to Bay area UF fans with various merchandise and videos tributes. Note: Deadline to purchase discount tickets is midnight Thursday.
The Carter famly (along with wife Shima and 14-year-old son Zion) settled in Tampa after he played his final two NFL seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He'll make "Chomp" night in St. Petersburg officially orange and blue when he takes the mound for pre-game.
“I'm honored and humbled by the fact that I would be someone who the Rays would deem worthy to throw out a first pitch,” Carter said. “You think about all the people you've seen throw out first pitches; they're usually celebrities or people who have accomplished amazing things. It's just cool that someone would think enough of me to even ask.” 
In the football arena, Carter definitely accomplished some amazing things. He starred at Florida from 1991-94, part of three Southeastern Conference championship teams. He was the No. 6 pick in the '95 NFL Draft by the Rams, with whom he won a Super Bowl after the '99 season, and retired in 2009 after 14 seasons tied for 26th in league history with 104.5 sacks. Carter is now a college football studio analyst with ESPN.
Still, his measured approach to Saturday's call from the bullpen is a little different than the one taken a year ago by his former UF teammate, Brad Culpepper, who showed up for his first-pitch assignment donning baseball pants. He even harkened back to his days as a prep star on the diamond by joking, “I get the first inning, right?”
“That's hilarious,” Carter said. “And it sounds totally like Brad.”
Actually, Carter knows that many a first-pitch invitee over the years have ended up on SportsCenter for doing something other than throwing a strike.
Take 50 cent, for example.
Consider that Carter's nightmare scenario.
“As long as it doesn't hit the ground and it's something the catcher can handle, I'll be all right,” Carter said. “I might just have to lob it in there, though. It's not that I'm worried about embarrassing myself -- I haven't thrown a baseball in years -- but it would definitely embarrass my son if I end up on the news.”
Speaking of being in the news, the Florida football team is very much in it this week, as the Jim McElwain era begins with the first practices of training camp. A conversation with Carter would not be complete without getting his analyst's take on what lies ahead for his alma mater under a new head coach.
The way Carter sees it, McElwain brings a balance to the program that's been missing. 
“One of the things that's been lacking in the Florida program has been that certain pedigree on the offensive side of the ball. That teaching and offensive scheme that is centralized and starts from the time you get there and is maintained until the time you leave,” Carter said. “Continuity makes a difference as young players increase their IQ for the game.”
The UF defense has a big head start on the offense, thanks to what former Coach Will Muschamp put in place, Carter said. Carter played two years (2005-06) for the Miami Dolphins under Nick Saban and thus was in the defensive room when Muschamp was linebackers coach there in '05.
Carter has tremendous respect for Muschamp's knowledge for defense, especially when it comes to fundamentals, technique and details. Those are things that stick with players (no matter the coach) and can be nurtured by the new staff.
“I don't think Florida has bad players on offense. They have enough to actually make a splash with this new coach,” Carter said. “But they already have a defense that should be one of the best SEC. That will help.”
