Where to begin?
First, honoring his word.
When West Gadsden standout Gary Brown committed to the University of Florida in early March, many believed that his recruitment was far from over. In fact, some area fans thought for sure that Brown still might end up at Florida State.
In fact, when Brown indicated during spring drills that he would participate in the Seminole Showtime Camp, which is scheduled for this Saturday, FSU fans thought Brown might be interested in FSU. Think again.
Brown has told recruiting services that he only plans to attend Florida’s one-day camp, which is this Friday.
“I am going to Friday Night Lights but not to Florida State’s camp,” Brown told FloridaVarsity .com
Other than Brown’s trip to Gainesville, it doesn’t appear as though he has any other plans for the remainder of the summer.
“I don’t have any other plans for visits,” Brown said. “I just plan to keep working out at the school and getting ready for next season.”
With no other visits on the schedule, inquiring minds want to know does that mean that all other schools are out of the running?
“My commitment to Florida is firm,” Brown said. “It is Florida all the way. It is just 100-percent Florida. I am not planning on taking any other visits.”
Second, temper tantrum.
Who says summer workouts are laid back?
A recent 7-on-7 game between two of South Florida’s top high school football teams ended in a wild brawl. Miami’s Booker T. Washington beat Pahokee High 22-21 on a last second touchdown and 2-point conversion. From there, tempers quickly flared. Near the end of the altercation, a player from Washington left his teammates and returned with a metal pole.
Thankfully, his coaches quickly stopped him and took it away. One of the coaches, however, was injured (fractured kneecap) as he attempted to separate players.
Third, a new identity.
With the departures of Mami Yamaguchi (soccer), Buster Posey (baseball) and Walter Dix (track), FSU has lost three of the best athletes in school history -- and the three best, arguably, in their sports this past season.
Who will be the new faces of FSU?
Football coaches have high hopes for the future of freshman quarterback E.J. Manuel, who has unlimited potential. The men’s basketball team doesn’t have an abundance of talent, but former Montverde Academy star Solomon Alabi, who sat out last season with a stress fracture in his leg, could eventually be the program’s best player since Al Thornton. And the baseball team has a potential star in Kyle Long, the son of NFL Hall of Famer Howie Long.
Fourth, the wacky.
Did you read where minor-league manager Kash Beauchamp was suspended for four games for his recent tirade with a home plate umpire?
After kicking dirt around the plate, Beauchamp ripped off his shoe and waved it in front of umpire Blake Felix, then pulled back his sleeve and stuck his armpit in the umpire’s face - two gestures meant to tell Felix that he stinks. The mostly one-sided argument continued with Beauchamp accidentally kicking off his other shoe, leaving him to dance around in red stocking socks, then throwing his chewing tobacco to the ground.
I watched the video. Beauchamp should be embarrassed.
He can’t dance a lick.