Carter's Corner: Three Bits — Mertz's Surgery, Horford's Ring, Spierto's Night
Thursday, October 24, 2024 | Men's Basketball, Football, Scott Carter
Mertz, after undergoing surgery on the torn ACL in his left knee he suffered Oct. 12 at Tennessee, informed followers on social media that his surgery was a success as he emerged from the hospital.
Mertz transferred from Wisconsin before the 2023 season and started 11 games before breaking his collarbone. He started four games this season prior to his injury against the Vols. Mertz completed 73.7% of his passes for 3,694 yards, with 26 touchdowns and five interceptions with the Gators.
"It's been awesome to be a part of his growth and development and to see him get to the place where he's been here lately," Gators coach Billy Napier said last week when he announced Mertz's college career was over. "Graham has meant a lot to me, but I would also say he's meant a lot to this program and certainly the University of Florida. He has a sincere care for this place and all it has done for him."
Mertz plans to remain in Gainesville to rehab the injury and prepare for the NFL Draft.
BIG AL
Al Horford never had plans to retire after finally becoming an NBA champion for the first time.
That mindset should sound familiar to Gators fans. The 38-year-old Horford, after helping Boston win a title last season, returned to Florida for the 2006-07 season after the Gators won the national title the previous season. That worked out pretty well as the Gators repeated.
Horford was on the court with his Celtics teammates earlier this week as they received their championship rings. Horford was a key contributor to Boston's title run. He came off the bench much of the regular season, starting in just 33 of the 65 regular-season games. He averaged 8.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and one block over 26.8 minutes per game.
However, in the postseason, Horford emerged as the reliable veteran he has been throughout his 18-year NBA career, playing a more prominent role following a calf injury to Kristaps Porzingis. Horford was reinserted into the starting lineup for the Celtics' Game 5 series-clinching win over the Heat in the first round and stayed there, with Boston going 13-2 over the 15 games Horford started.
Horford was responsible for a funny moment during the ring ceremony. His ring was way too big, a reminder that when he was measured in the playoffs, his finger was swollen from being dislocated earlier in the postseason.
"I got the measurements all wrong, it's like way too big" 😂
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) October 22, 2024
Al Horford was mic'd up for the @celtics Ring Night celebration! pic.twitter.com/yK6TEgQSKM
SPIERTO'S SPECIAL DAY
It was a nice moment for Spierto, his first reception of the season and only third of his career. It wasn't his only memorable event on Saturday.
His father John Spierto stepped onto the field, too. The elder Spierto was a member of the 1984 Gators team honored on the field after the first quarter. Florida's 1984 team finished 9-1-1 and won the program's first on-field Southeastern Conference championship.
"It was incredible and a special moment, because his team getting honored," Spierto said afterward. "To take a picture with him and then getting an opportunity to catch a ball on the field, it was super special, a super special night."
Graham Hall of 247Sports.com wrote a more in-depth story on Spierto's big day:
Saturday's contest vs. Kentucky was an unforgettable day for Taylor Spierto and his family, considering his father, John, played for the #Gators on the 1984 team.
— Graham Hall (@GrahamHall) October 22, 2024
'This opportunity is unlike any other and I will never allow myself to take it for granted'
READ:… pic.twitter.com/LJP191gjz7
