'30 minutes of fire': Former UF football player provides strong message during fall camp
In the dog days of fall camp, Florida football coach Billy Napier invited a guest speaker on Friday to motivate the squad heading into the 2023 season.
Former All-American UF defensive lineman Kevin Carter returned to campus, delivering an inspired message about what it means to play for the Florida Gators.
"He gave us 30 minutes of absolute fire," Napier said. "I mean, this guy was passionate and really challenged our players in a lot of ways."
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Napier said the message centered on taking advantage of the opportunity of being a college football player and creating lasting memories. Carter helped lead UF to three SEC championships in four seasons while playing for the Gators from 1991-94 under former coach Steve Spurrier.
From Florida, Carter was a first-round pick in the NFL Draft and went on to a 13-year career with the St. Louis Rams, Tennessee Titans, Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He won a Super Bowl in 2000 with the Rams and made the Pro Bowl in 1999 and 2002.
Carter has gone on to successful endeavors in philanthropy and broadcasting as a college and pro football analyst with the SEC Network and CBS since his NFL career ended.
"Certainly, you know, one of the things we're trying to do with our young men is bring back Gators that played here and had significant success on the field but have continued to have success off the field and represent the place the right way," Napier said. "And I think Kevin's done a great job. It's important that we kind of have a generational gap here, right? We need to educate our players about the significant success that this place has had in the past."
Florida running back Cam Carroll, a transfer from Tulane, said the message sunk in to current players.
"When I first came in the spring, being able to see those SEC Championships on the wall in the indoor facility, it sticks to you quick that this is a very special place," Carroll said. "And being able to know there's a lot of great guys that have come through, it kind of motivates you to want to be one of those guys."
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Former Florida football defensive lineman Kevin Carter talks to Gators
