Former Gators running back Robert Morgan goes airborne in Florida's 25-14 win over fifth-ranked Auburn in 1974. (Photo: The Tampa Bay Times archives via Newspapers.com)
Carter's Corner: Remembering Ex-Gators RB Robert Morgan
Tuesday, May 5, 2020 | General, Scott Carter
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By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- On the day Robert Morgan scored his first career touchdown for the Gators -- newspaper photos captured his airborne dive into the end zone at Florida Field -- the big sports news of the day was the Braves trading all-time home run leader Hank Aaron to Milwaukee to finish out his career. Photo: Courtesy of Star 94.5's Facebook page.
That was on Nov. 2, 1974, in an upset win over Auburn during Morgan's sophomore season at Florida. A 6-foot-2, 220-pound fullback, Morgan shared carries in Florida's well-stocked wishbone backfield throughout his career. Still, he amassed 731 yards in three seasons and was drafted in the 10th round of the 1977 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Bucs.
Morgan was a prized recruit coming out of Pensacola High.
"It came down to Alabama and Florida,'' Morgan told the Tampa Tribune in 1977. "I talked to Bear Bryant once on the telephone and that man can be so persuasive, even on the phone, that I nearly said yes."
Morgan's future was not on the field, however. It was in the radio booth, where as a longtime disc jockey at Orlando-area station Star 94.5, Morgan earned the nickname "Quiet Storm" for his smooth and soulful voice. Soon after he died on April 17, more than 300 listeners offered their condolences on the station's Facebook page.
Robert Edward Morgan was born Aug. 5, 1955, and lettered for the UF football team from 1974-76. He developed an interest in broadcasting while at UF and was interviewing teammate David Posey, a kicker selected by San Francisco in the previous round, for WRUF when he learned he had been drafted by Tampa Bay. Morgan's stay with the Bucs didn't last long since they drafted his roommate in training camp, USC running back Ricky Bell, the same year. He later signed with the Jets but did not stick on the roster.
The Gators earned bowl trips in all three seasons Morgan was a regular in the backfield, going 25-11 over that span. The most notable loss of his career came against Georgia as a senior when the 10th-ranked Gators lost to No. 7 Georgia in Jacksonville, a game that Coach Doug Dickey received heavy criticism afterward due to a fourth-and-1 call that failed deep in UF's own territory. Gators running back Earl Carr was stopped short of the first down and Georgia, trailing 27-20, took over at Florida's 29-yard line. The Bulldogs went on to win 41-27.
The Gators used Morgan as a decoy on the play by faking a handoff to him up the middle.
"I think I should have gotten the ball,'' Morgan said. "I think I could have made the yardage. Of course, it was a big gamble. It would have been a great decision for Coach Dickey if we would have made the first, and everybody would be praising him now instead of getting on his case."
Former UF teammate Keith Tribble, an offensive lineman during Morgan's career and later the athletic director at the University of Central Florida, recalled Morgan fondly at the news of his death.
"It's a sad day for the Gator family,'' Tribble posted on Facebook. "So sorry and stunned to hear about the passing of my friend, teammate, and partner in crime Robert "Cooka 2". RIP, my brother."
