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The 1984 Florida Gators football team — one renowned for its peak athleticism and NCAA violations — makes its return to Florida Field for the Homecoming game Saturday against Kentucky.
Welcome back, 1984 Gators.#GatorMade is proud to serve all Swamp Alumni, connecting past and present Gator brotherhood.#GoGators pic.twitter.com/4YJHh5v8qF
— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) October 16, 2024
History
The ’84 team faced a plethora of misconduct allegations against a number of players and coaches.
Coach Charley Pell fell under an abundance of controversy surrounding his violations of NCAA guidelines. Pell’s accusations of cheating included providing illegal compensation for student athletes and spying on other teams’ practices.
Upon the NCAA’s release of violations allegedly made by Pell, the coach resigned after a 1-1-1 start to the 1984 season.
UF offensive coordinator Galen Hall was named interim coach and led the Gators to a 9-1-1 season, winning eight straight games and the Gators’ first SEC championship.
Despite the Gators’ dominance on their way to an 8-0 finish, the league presidents voted in the spring of the following year to strip UF of its championship due to the violations of NCAA rules committed under Pell.
Florida’s Talent
UF’s dominant run is largely attributed to its high-caliber playmakers on both sides of the ball, 23 of whom were drafted to the NFL.
Future first-round draft picks John L. Williams, Neal Anderson, Lorenzo Hampton and Ricky Nattiel led the 1984 team along with SEC Player of the Year Kerwin Bell, the quarterback from Mayo. However, the players weren’t the only reason for the team’s success.
Our honorary Two-Bits against Kentucky is UF Hall of Famer, John L. Williams!
: https://t.co/VuibiRIFp5#GoGators pic.twitter.com/a4cBkJv2Zc
— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) October 15, 2024
Anderson, a running back, was one of three first-round draft picks in the 1984 Gator backfield. Anderson told Steve Russell on Thursday’s Sportscene it was unique having such talented teammates.
When asked if sharing the workload with his other future first-round teammates bothered him, Anderson answered that it did not and that he considered it a special opportunity for a team to have so many star players:
Coaching Change
Anderson also explained the difference between the demeanors of Pell and Hall, elaborating on Hall’s vision in taking over the program three games into the season:
He added that Hall was a great offensive coach who doesn’t get enough credit for his contributions to the already strong UF football program in 1984:
Erased
Highlighting the impact of the 1984 SEC Championship stripping, Anderson pointed out that it was a major disappointment for Gator players who had nothing to do with the scandal:
The star running back expressed his disappointment in the way the situation unfolded, noting his surprise that a powerhouse team such as the Gators could be “kicked to the curb” and “forgotten about.”
He added that the 1984 team’s celebration at the Homecoming game means a lot to many of his teammates and he wouldn’t miss it for the world:
After 40 years, the championship team will get the recognition it deserves, receiving a warm welcome before the Homecoming game against Kentucky (7:45 p.m. Saturday, SEC Network, ESPN 98.1-FM/850-AM WRUF).
