GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Flora coach Dan Mullen had several players missed the team’s opening training session on Monday.
Mullen declined to be named, but the Orlando Sentinel and Sports Illustrated reported that four boys – receivers Kadarius Toney, Trevon Grimes and Jacob Copeland and defensive end Zachary Carter – skipped the session.
“We had a couple of guys who are not practicing today, but we’ll see how that goes for us,” Mullen said during a Zoom call with reporters. “But, you know, I would not be surprised if your boys retired. I will fully support them. Really, it would not be surprising if we had coaches, to be honest with you. Coaches are at such a high risk because of the age group who they are.
“But we’ll find out.”
It is unclear if the lack of players was related to the coronavirus pandemic. Toney and Copeland expressed concern earlier this month about playing out in the midst of a global health crisis.
Toney wrote on Twitter that sitting “maybe is the better decision.” Copeland responded that Toney may have the right idea and tweeted, “Health over football”, followed by a thumbs-up emoji.
Carter, meanwhile, launched the #WeAreUnited campaign supported by Pac-12 players earlier this month. His father, Frank Carter, told Rivals that his son had major concerns.
“First of all, he’s my son and I support him,” Frank Carter told the recruitment website. “He told me he wanted to play, but he just does not feel safe right now. We have had a few friends of the family who have died from the effects of COVID. Now some players in other conferences are having problems with them. hert.
“I think this is all kind of alarming to him. There really is not enough research or data to give him information that can bring his mind at ease, so he just takes the cautious route.”
The older Carter also told Rivals what he said he did not share with his son.
“I went on,” he said. “I was sweating that night and I could not consume enough fluid to not dehydrate myself, so I had to come to the hospital because my wife said I was hallucinating. I did not tell Zach any of this stuff.”
Two hours after Mullen’s news conference, Grimes posted on Twitter, “Do not believe everything you read.” He just went out.
Florida is scheduled to open Sept. 26 at Mississippi, which begins its first season under coach Lane Kiffin. The next five weeks will be critical in getting the opener.
Two Power Five conferences – the Big Ten and the Pac-12 – have already postponed their football seasons due to concerns about coronavirus.
The Gators have had 21 players test positive for COVID-19 since returning to campus in May. They have not held any positions as one in quarantine due to exposure the past four weeks.
“Statistically speaking, we – off of these numbers – you would think the safest place to be is to practice football and do organized team activities, because that’s where our numbers are greatly reduced,” Mullen said. “That’s the information we have now. That’s why I feel comfortable.
“I can not tell you what will happen in the long run, but our boys have treated everything really well. I think our medical staff, UF people who have helped our medical staff here in the athletic department, a have done a great job creating a safe environment for our players and the coaches as well. “
The Gators will face another challenge this weekend as students begin to return to campus.
“We will adapt to everything that happens as we continue to move forward,” Mullen said. “I think it’s the team that can best adapt to any situation – there are a lot of moving parts – and the team that can adapt will end up at the end of the season with this national championship trophy.”
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