Carter's Corner: Former Gators O-Lineman "Pops" Stanfield Passes Away
Thursday, June 13, 2019 | Football, Scott Carter
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By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In the Gators' loss to SMU in Tampa to open the 1972 season, Florida finished with minus-15 yards rushing. Head coach Doug Dickey made a change on the offensive line, inserting sophomore Mike Stanfield into the starting lineup in UF's home opener the following week against Mississippi State.
Florida won 28-13 and Stanfield walked off rain-soaked Florida Field after the go-ahead score in the third quarter – a 52-yard touchdown run by Vince Kendrick – with a grin on his face.
"When I looked up and saw Vince going all the way I knew I had done my job,'' Stanfield told reporters afterward. "It's a super feeling."
Michael David Stanfield, born Feb. 6, 1952, passed away from natural causes in the early morning hours of May 24 in Jacksonville. Stanfield was a three-year letterman for the Gators (1972-74) and earned a spot on the All-SEC Sophomore Team in '72.
Mike Stanfield, second from left, started on the offensive line for three seasons in the early 1970s. (Photo: Orlando Sentinel archives/Newspaper.com)
The well-respected Stanfield grew up in Pensacola and starred at Catholic High in his hometown, earning a scholarship to play for the Gators. At 6-foot-3, 260 pounds in college, Stanfield was a formidable presence at tackle and guard during his career for Dickey's run-oriented teams.
His teammates and friends referred to him as "Pops" and he had a reputation as one of the toughest players on the team.
Longtime equipment manager Bud Fernandez once said of Stanfield: "He is the hardest guy on a helmet I ever saw. He'll crack three helmets in a year."
Following his playing career, Stanfield served as a graduate assistant under former Gators offensive line coach Kim Helton and later pursued a career in the state's juvenile justice system.
Former teammate Tony Green, who was a freshman at UF during Stanfield's senior season, recalled Stanfield fondly in an online tribute.
"I'm going to miss you my brother. You were a great teammate, and I appreciate all the protection and support you provided me as a young kid coming to UF,'' Green wrote. "You are going to a better place and our Father will have more work for you to do now."
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