GVX audio
GVX audio
HOOVER, Ala. — Steve Spurrier cleared up the biggest mystery at SEC media days: How Tim Tebow got left off a preseason All-SEC ballot.
Spurrier said Friday that South Carolina’s director of football operations Jamie Speronis filled out the ballot in his stead and voted for Mississippi’s Jevan Snead.
The other coaches picked Tebow, the Heisman Trophy winner two years ago.
“We screwed it up pretty badly,” said Spurrier, who approved the ballot. “I’m embarrassed about it. I feel bad about it.”
Spurrier said he has apologized to Tebow and that the SEC has let him amend the ballot to add Tebow. The vote totals have been changed on the league Web site.
The former Florida coach and quarterback — also a Heisman winner — called Tebow the best football player in the country. He said Tebow and ex-Gator Danny Wuerffel might go down as the two best quarterbacks in college football history.
Spurrier said he has never filled out a preseason All-SEC ballot himself.
“I haven’t done that in 17 years,” Spurrier said. “I usually look it over and I sign off on it. I did a poor job of looking it over this year.”
Tracking down the lone coach to pick Mississippi’s Jevan Snead was a weeklong question.
Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin even brought his ballot to the stage with him and showed it to an SEC staffer, who confirmed his Tebow pick. He said he had help filling out the ballot, “but I was obviously a big part of it.”
Still, Spurrier’s explanation raised questions about whether coaches fill out their own Top 25 ballots during the season. Spurrier said he looks over his “a lot more thoroughly” than preseason All-SEC teams.
He said he remains an advocate of coaches releasing their ballots publicly.
LSU’s Les Miles said sports information director Michael Bonnette, after an “over-the-phone conversation,” filled out his preseason All-SEC ballot, but that he fills out his own Top 25 in the coaches poll with some help.
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Comments » 43
GreerVol22 writes:
it figures.....
volatil writes:
Claudett or whatever that dudes name is , we expect your backpedaling apology anytime now !
StroVol writes:
Whatever, own up to your vote. I'm sure the assitant told him who he voted for on his behalf. weak
DenverVol writes:
Good gosh, can the entire college football media now put this story to bed? What a big deal made out of nothing!
volatil writes:
This just busted espn's bubble they were praying it was CLK yesterday.
chad_t31 writes:
I knew something was "smelley" about this.
TommyJack writes:
I'm waiting on an apology to CLK from all the poser-mopes on here, and from all the so called journalist that blamed CLK. Hmmmm?
WytheVol writes:
Claudette, you are correct.. I am sure the Ole Ball Coach will have some jabs to throw at Kiffin and UT before the year ends. BUT, this time he might just get a witty response and things could get interesting... I'm sure he'll wait and see if they beat us first though.
chargervol writes:
Spurrier was afraid that Meyer would not let him be a Gator anymore if he hadn't apologized. GO VOLS!!!
vol4gzus writes:
Wow I feel vindicated since I figured Visor King was the missing link so to speak.
Found out and changed the vote....isn't that remarkable. Put this article/subject to rest for good.
99gator writes:
if you believe him, and if it's one thing spurrier isn't....it's a liar, then this is further proof coaches shouldn't have a vote for anything.
he gave it to someone else to fill out.
a preseason all-sec team is one thing, but coaches do this for the actual poll
gbeejr#1354500 writes:
Changes his position once he finds out where the voters (SEC coaches) stand. Spurrier must be a democrat.
volatil writes:
Wow still defending ole Saint Steve!
windy writes:
I think he seems more like a republican, check out Sara Palin, can't make up her mind to stay in office or run for something else.Sure hope she runs,he he he he
volatil writes:
sure hope your Pres. keeps trying to pass Bills that are dividing his own party
volboy81 writes:
woose.
RJ_Vol writes:
Mega-dittos!
Realist writes:
Well, it is a big deal! I hate Florida like the rest of the Vol Nation. But Tebow deserves the honor. Can anyone honestly give a reason why he should not have been unanimous? In the end, the media will be upset because they were praying the vote came from Kiffin. Now the story will end!
coalvol writes:
I'm so ready for the season to start. I used to enjoy the build up to the season but the media has to find every little non-story and run it into the ground. As much as ESPN has done for sports I sometimes resent the hell out of them.
Bigger_Al writes:
Weak excuse from Spurrier. Tells everyone his aide did it, then says "I'll take the blame". Then he says he called in to change his vote.
Of course, no Gators have the stones to call him what he really is: a manipulative azz.
RJ_Vol writes:
Spurrier is now spinning things. However, you know what, I'd stand behind my vote instead of blaming a staffer. Additionally, I really don't understand the fuss. It's a PRESEASON vote! I could understand the outrage after the games are played. I have tremendous respect for Tebo. However, if someone didn't vote for him, tough! Those offended need to put on their "big-boy pants" and realize not everyone is going to bow at the Gator alter. UT is a school that has been robbed of the Heisman - TWICE! So, we could really care less. Who gives a ratz behind about a single preseason vote?
senracjr writes:
Spurrier isn't a liar!!!! Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!! That's the funniest thing I have ever heard in my life!!!Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.
VolFanNC writes:
The hype was because they all wanted it to be Kiffin. Now that Spurrier has said it was him, it will go away. Slive will give Spurrier a hug, then make out with Meyer and they will all be happy again.
VolsFanInNC writes:
Does it really matter? Does this kick in a contract incentive for Tebow? A couple of extra cheerleaders his way....Oh never mind, he doesn't want those...
gatorhator5033 writes:
He is simply FULL OF #$@%!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PERIOD.
gatorhator5033 writes:
Bigger_Al:
Good Comment! And oh so true!
VolFanInMO writes:
"Guilty?" There's a law that people must vote for Tebow?
gbeejr#1354500 writes:
This is a sports forum but I will only say this -only the liberal news media and their sheep (like you) imply she can't make up her mind. The fact that she hasn't announced yet drives liberals into a frenzy. Only she knows what her plan is (probably senator) and she'll announce that when the time suits her best, not when you want it. Our time to get America back is coming, your president is seeing to that.
volfalcon writes:
I think Spurrier intentionally left Tebow off of his ballot to try and take a bank handed shot at Kiffin because he knew everyone would think it was Kiffin. Shows he's not that smart because he ended up having to eat crow or should I say gamecock.
volfalcon writes:
Sorry, meant to say "back' handed.
RJ_Vol writes:
Dare I stray, but I must agree...
"But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever. " John Adams (the original)
"There is danger from all men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no man living with power to endanger the public liberty." John Adams (the original)
bonescat writes:
Hell, I vote for Snead. Snead went into the Swamp with a less talented team and reminded Urban Meyer that withdrawing Snead's scholarship offer was a big mistake. Snead played his heart out while Tebow and the other 5-star players were napping against "an inferior" opponent in the Swamp.
I hoped Kiffin voted for Snead. Does everyone have to fear, respect, and bow to Florida? Screw that, my blood runs orange! Go Vols!
AugVol writes:
I did respect Spurrier for "Manning up" and admitting it, but then I read this:
" He said the SEC has let him amend the ballot to add Tebow."
Seriously? Are we that friggin politically correct that we are afraid to hurt a football player's feelings? Geez, give me a break.
TommyJack writes:
Si'. Just more Tebow overload.
TommyJack writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
vol88 writes:
I, for one, am disappointed in Steve for back pedaling. Man-up, coach! LOL!
kman29 writes:
Meyer never withdrew a scholarship offer to Snead. If Snead had remain committed to UF, he would have been a Gator. It was Snead who decided to decommit after Tebow announced he was going to UF. In the end it worked out for everyone involved. But at no time did Meyer ever tell Snead he couldn't sign.
BSweet writes:
Tebow deserved to be unanimous, but if this was any other player, would the "amended" vote have been allowed? Sounds like Slime's playing favorites again.
murrayvol writes:
Don't hold your breath TJ.
murrayvol writes:
Absolutely!
murrayvol writes:
TJ, Id love to see the deleted post since it's among about 2 you've had on this board.
murrayvol writes:
When I saw that Trimmin' Timmy wasn't unanimous, I had a WTF moment. Hoped it wasn't CLK.....no, prayed it wasn't CLK.
It doesn't take that long to review an All SEC Preseason Ballot. I'm calling bs on Spurrier.
belayvol writes:
Spurrier? Oh yeah, he is that coach who always votes Duke in the top 25 pre-season poll. I remember him.
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