Shane Matthews, Steve Spurrier and Kyle Morris, left to right, in 2016. (Photo courtesy of Morris' Facebook page).
Carter's Corner: Remembering Former Gators QB Kyle Morris
Saturday, February 15, 2025 | Football, Scott Carter
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By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Reed House at Live Oaks Golf Club is a picturesque gathering place nestled among towering oaks a few miles outside Jackson, Miss. It's where former Gators quarterback Kyle Morris poured so much of his heart and soul, turning the municipal golf course he grew up on into one of Mississippi's finest venues.
The Reed House is a place guests rent for life's most meaningful events. Former Gators quarterback Shane Matthews has spent memorable nights there, including his daughter's wedding. Matthews will be back there today for a somber event: the memorial service for Morris, who died a week ago at 55 following a decade-long battle with cancer.
"He battled his ass off,'' Matthews said. "We had so much in common. We just became really good friends."
Matthews and Morris connected in ways beyond being UF quarterbacks.
Both grew up in Mississippi. Morris is from Clinton, not too far from Jackson, and Matthews is from Pascagoula, in the southern part of the state. While at UF, they competed against one another, played golf, went hunting and fishing, and played on a church-league softball team. They each lost a parent during college, so they relied on one another for support. Kyle Morris in 1989. (UAA archives)
But of course, what Gators fans remember most about Morris and Matthews is that in Steve Spurrier's first season as Florida's coach in 1990, they battled each other for the starting quarterback's job. They were roommates and competitors, a job Matthews won on the way to being named a two-time Southeastern Conference Player of the Year.
"I didn't know him in high school," Matthews said. "He was my host on my recruiting visit to Florida. I got to know him there."
A year older than Matthews, Morris had started five games in 1988 before a broken finger. Morris was the starting quarterback in 1989 before being suspended, along with a handful of other players, for gambling. Morris returned in Spurrier's first season and tossed four interceptions in the spring game, which reopened the competition and led to Matthews rewriting the school record books.
Morris transferred to Division II Mississippi College in 1991 and settled back in Clinton. In 2017, he spoke to FloridaGators.comabout his place in Gators lore.
"No, I'm not bitter at all. Things happen. And I made some mistakes," Morris said. "My name came up in some things that were negative, but I still love the Gators. My dream growing up was to go to the University of Florida. So, I not only got to be a Gator, I got to run through that tunnel, be the starting quarterback, hand the ball to Emmitt Smith and win some big games."
In the years since, Morris and Matthews remained close friends. They formed an annual golf tournament named the Mississippi Masters more than 20 years ago, which continues today. In recent years, as Morris lost his hair and significant weight in his fight against cancer, their relationship was as strong as ever.
When the Gators hosted Ole Miss at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in late November, Matthews helped arrange a trip to The Swamp for Morris, his wife (an Ole Miss grad), and his two sons. They toured the Heavener Center and watched the game from the Champions Club.
Morris was thrilled to show his sons where he once played. He led the Gators to a 5-0 start in '88 before breaking his finger.
"He says it was one of the greatest trips he's ever had,'' Matthews said.
Matthews said several of Morris' former Gators teammates planned to be at his memorial service, including offensive linemen Hesham Ismail, Cal Dixon, Tony Rowell and Mark White. They came in with Morris and left as the guys protecting Matthews in the pocket.
More than 35 years ago, Matthews and Morris were two Mississippi kids trying to find their place in life and on the field.
They found each other, and a lifelong friendship ensued.
"He's just a good dude,'' Matthews said. "It's just one of those relationships that started in college. Kyle is one of those guys who is very likable. He got along with everybody. He was a smart-ass at times, too, but in a good way.
"I don't know anyone that never liked Kyle Morris."
