Abby Wambach has made arrangements to donate her brain for concussion research. (Photo: Getty Images)
In The (Gator) Zone: Wambach to donate brain, Vols to Honor Spurrier, More Tidbits
Thursday, March 31, 2016 | General, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Instead of preparing to play for the U.S. Women's National Team in the Summer Olympics the way she did four years ago in London, former UF soccer standout Abby Wambach is transitioning into a new phase of life.
Wambach has retired from competition and has spent the past few months traveling around the country on a speaking tour. She was at Ohio State University on Monday night and made international news.
For the first time publicly, Wambach disclosed she has made plans to donate her brain for concussion research.
Wambach scored 77 of her international-record 184 career goals by using her head, which could make her brain a valuable research tool one day for scientists studying the long-term impact of repeated brain trauma in sports.
"I think there will be valuable research and information that will be studied, and we will understand more about the heading and the heading process as it pertains to the game," Wambach told the Lantern, Ohio State's student newspaper.
Wambach is following the lead of former U.S. soccer star Brandi Chastain, who recently announced she would donate her brain for concussion research.
To watch Wambach discuss the topic more, check out the video below:
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(NO JOKE) VOLS TO HONOR SPURRIER
Steve Spurrier was in Gainesville last week and stopped by UF's football practice.
Gators coach Jim McElwain said Spurrier, who resigned as South Carolina's coach late last season, is invited to return anytime.
"Obviously, having arguably one of the best ever in Coach Spurrier to come out there and see his former team, that's something that's pretty special having that guy around,'' McElwain said. "I'm glad his accountant is here. Gave him a reason to be in town."
Spurrier has another trip planned April 16. Not to UF, but to UT. Yes, that UT. Spurrier, who grew up in Johnson City, Tenn., will be honored at Tennessee's spring game by the Knoxville Quarterback Club.
He is receiving the 2016 Robert Neyland Award on the same day Brent Musburger is to receive the Lindsey Nelson Award for broadcasting.
Spurrier was 8-4 against the Vols as Florida's coach from 1990-2001. If he needs an opening quip, he can always rely on an old one but a good one: "You can't spell Citrus without U-T."
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WINNING BIG
The Florida baseball team rebounded nicely on Tuesday night, defeating rival Florida State 3-2 in Jacksonville. The Gators dropped from the top spot in the polls for the first time this season after their 17-game win streak was snapped with back-to-back losses at Kentucky last weekend.
UF improved to 4-1 this season against in-state rivals FSU and Miami, continuing a trend that has been constant this decade (chart below). Florida is 23-6 in its last 29 games against the Seminoles, and 9-2 in its last 11 games against Miami.
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WELCOME BACK, GATORS
Nearly everywhere you turned at UF Pro Day you bumped into a former Florida player back on campus to visit.
Former recent Gators Sharrif Floyd, Trenton Brown, Cody Riggs, Jelani Jenkins, Mack Brown, Matt Jones and Chris Rainey were among those in attendance. Three former UF players – defensive back Jabari Gorman, tight end Clay Burton and fullback Hunter Joyer – worked out for scouts from all 32 NFL teams.
While McElwain didn't coach any of the ex-Gators to return, he wants them to know the door is always open when they come back to town.
"I love it. As I've said, look, I just happen to be sitting in the chair,'' McElwain said. "These former players are the ones that put this program together. To see all of them come out and to support their former teammates and that kind of stuff, that's the way it should be."
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VOTE TEBOW
Tim Tebow as a politician?
Tebow told "Fox & Friends" this week a career in politics would "be intriguing." During an interview segment at his charity golf tournament in Ponta Vedra Beach recently, Tebow was asked if he would consider a career in politics.
"It's been crazy, hasn't it? It's been a whirlwind watching everything," Tebow said. "You know, I don't know in this time in my life, but if there's a chance you can make a difference some day in something, then that would be intriguing."
If Tebow ever decides to go that route, pretty sure he'll win the vote in Alachua County.
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PHOTO OF WEEK
You may have seen this one already on social media, but if not, sometimes you happen to be in the right place at the right time – and with your iPhone handy.
That's pretty much what happened to me as I walked out of the Gators' indoor practice facility a week ago. I looked over and saw two guys you might expect to see at a Florida spring football practice: Oakland Raiders coach Jack Del Rio, and his son, Gators quarterback Luke Del Rio.
The stranger on the left: two-time Oscar-winner Gene Hackman, a family friend of the Del Rios. When told who it was, all I could think of was his role as Little Bill in "Unforgiven." Check it out if you haven't watched it.
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EXTRA, EXTRA
Former Gators receiver Chris Doering and SEC Network reporter Maria Taylor spent Tuesday and Wednesday in town with a film crew. Two of the segments on the Gators will be shown on "SEC Now" this weekend, one on Saturday night (11:30) and one on Sunday night (10:30). … Here is one perhaps you missed on Wambach: She has her own Barbie doll, which was released last month at The Makers Conference in California according to People.com. … Former UF swimmer Ryan Lochte morphed into swim instructor for USA Today sports writer Nicole Auerbach. … Jose Principe, distinguished professor of electrical engineering at UF, received a $5,000 honorarium from the SEC as an SEC Faculty Achievement Award winner. Principe is UF's nominee for SEC Professor of the Year, which will be awarded in April and includes an additional $15,000 prize.
Wambach has retired from competition and has spent the past few months traveling around the country on a speaking tour. She was at Ohio State University on Monday night and made international news.
For the first time publicly, Wambach disclosed she has made plans to donate her brain for concussion research.
Wambach scored 77 of her international-record 184 career goals by using her head, which could make her brain a valuable research tool one day for scientists studying the long-term impact of repeated brain trauma in sports.
"I think there will be valuable research and information that will be studied, and we will understand more about the heading and the heading process as it pertains to the game," Wambach told the Lantern, Ohio State's student newspaper.
Wambach is following the lead of former U.S. soccer star Brandi Chastain, who recently announced she would donate her brain for concussion research.
To watch Wambach discuss the topic more, check out the video below:
-----
(NO JOKE) VOLS TO HONOR SPURRIER
Steve Spurrier was in Gainesville last week and stopped by UF's football practice.
Gators coach Jim McElwain said Spurrier, who resigned as South Carolina's coach late last season, is invited to return anytime.
"Obviously, having arguably one of the best ever in Coach Spurrier to come out there and see his former team, that's something that's pretty special having that guy around,'' McElwain said. "I'm glad his accountant is here. Gave him a reason to be in town."
Spurrier has another trip planned April 16. Not to UF, but to UT. Yes, that UT. Spurrier, who grew up in Johnson City, Tenn., will be honored at Tennessee's spring game by the Knoxville Quarterback Club.
He is receiving the 2016 Robert Neyland Award on the same day Brent Musburger is to receive the Lindsey Nelson Award for broadcasting.
Spurrier was 8-4 against the Vols as Florida's coach from 1990-2001. If he needs an opening quip, he can always rely on an old one but a good one: "You can't spell Citrus without U-T."
-----
WINNING BIG
The Florida baseball team rebounded nicely on Tuesday night, defeating rival Florida State 3-2 in Jacksonville. The Gators dropped from the top spot in the polls for the first time this season after their 17-game win streak was snapped with back-to-back losses at Kentucky last weekend.
UF improved to 4-1 this season against in-state rivals FSU and Miami, continuing a trend that has been constant this decade (chart below). Florida is 23-6 in its last 29 games against the Seminoles, and 9-2 in its last 11 games against Miami.
| Year | Record vs. FSU and Miami |
| 2016 | 4-1 (UF plays at FSU on April 12) |
| 2015 | 7-3 |
| 2014 | 4-2 |
| 2013 | 3-3 |
| 2012 | 6-0 |
| 2011 | 6-2 |
| 2010 | 5-5 |
| Total | 35-16 (.686 win %) |
-----
WELCOME BACK, GATORS
Nearly everywhere you turned at UF Pro Day you bumped into a former Florida player back on campus to visit.
Former recent Gators Sharrif Floyd, Trenton Brown, Cody Riggs, Jelani Jenkins, Mack Brown, Matt Jones and Chris Rainey were among those in attendance. Three former UF players – defensive back Jabari Gorman, tight end Clay Burton and fullback Hunter Joyer – worked out for scouts from all 32 NFL teams.
While McElwain didn't coach any of the ex-Gators to return, he wants them to know the door is always open when they come back to town.
"I love it. As I've said, look, I just happen to be sitting in the chair,'' McElwain said. "These former players are the ones that put this program together. To see all of them come out and to support their former teammates and that kind of stuff, that's the way it should be."
-----
VOTE TEBOW
Tim Tebow as a politician?
Tebow told "Fox & Friends" this week a career in politics would "be intriguing." During an interview segment at his charity golf tournament in Ponta Vedra Beach recently, Tebow was asked if he would consider a career in politics.
"It's been crazy, hasn't it? It's been a whirlwind watching everything," Tebow said. "You know, I don't know in this time in my life, but if there's a chance you can make a difference some day in something, then that would be intriguing."
If Tebow ever decides to go that route, pretty sure he'll win the vote in Alachua County.
-----
PHOTO OF WEEK
You may have seen this one already on social media, but if not, sometimes you happen to be in the right place at the right time – and with your iPhone handy.
That's pretty much what happened to me as I walked out of the Gators' indoor practice facility a week ago. I looked over and saw two guys you might expect to see at a Florida spring football practice: Oakland Raiders coach Jack Del Rio, and his son, Gators quarterback Luke Del Rio.
The stranger on the left: two-time Oscar-winner Gene Hackman, a family friend of the Del Rios. When told who it was, all I could think of was his role as Little Bill in "Unforgiven." Check it out if you haven't watched it.
#Gators QB Luke Del Rio, father Jack, and family friend Gene Hackman...I expected to see 2 of them at practice. pic.twitter.com/F2xQ0LpZpM
— Scott Carter (@GatorsScott) March 23, 2016
-----
EXTRA, EXTRA
Former Gators receiver Chris Doering and SEC Network reporter Maria Taylor spent Tuesday and Wednesday in town with a film crew. Two of the segments on the Gators will be shown on "SEC Now" this weekend, one on Saturday night (11:30) and one on Sunday night (10:30). … Here is one perhaps you missed on Wambach: She has her own Barbie doll, which was released last month at The Makers Conference in California according to People.com. … Former UF swimmer Ryan Lochte morphed into swim instructor for USA Today sports writer Nicole Auerbach. … Jose Principe, distinguished professor of electrical engineering at UF, received a $5,000 honorarium from the SEC as an SEC Faculty Achievement Award winner. Principe is UF's nominee for SEC Professor of the Year, which will be awarded in April and includes an additional $15,000 prize.
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