quote:

Originally posted by vales:
That play turned Curci into a self-possessed mad man. Years later when he was a TV commentator his enmity for Florida was legendary. Does anyone remember when he was the coach of THE great Kentucky team(Yes, there was one) and he motivated KENTUCKY with the flop. There was talk before the game of Kentucky running it up and flopping against Florida. However, a bad Florida team played tough and they lost 14-7. That was the Kentucky team with Dickey at QB(went on to play TE for the Raiders) and they also had a great defensive end. Can't recall his name.

That was a great UK team. I thought they won the SEC title and it was Derrick Ramsey at QB or maybe he was the DE.

Sorry, I meant to say Ramsey, and the DE was Still.

RIght, I went over to the UK board and they reminded me of Art STill. Ramsey was a HUGE guy
at QB.

Posting in a legendary thread!

Mr. Alvarez you are still very well loved in Gainesville. Thank you so much for honoring us with your presence here and sharing some memories with us!

Gatorpe, What was the year??

sticky, please!

I called my dad yesterday to tell him that Carlos Alvarez had just written about the Tulane game, reminding me that it was the 2 point conversion he had caught to win that Tulane game in '69 (and not the actual TD as I had thought). He remembered it well because he said we both were so adamant that Gator Ray just go for the tie and salvage the season since they had struggled so all throughout that game. He remembers we were so excited when Alvaraez caught that pass that he jumped up and knocked over the radio and broke the thing! Had to grab an old transistor to hear Otis announce the conclusion to the game! He was so excited Carlos Alvarez had actually addressed the Tulane game in a post here--he kept saying, what an honor, what an honor!! I agree!!

quote:

Originally posted by GatorGrad74:
I called my dad yesterday to tell him that Carlos Alvarez had just written about the Tulane game, reminding me that it was the 2 point conversion he had caught to win that Tulane game in '69 (and not the actual TD as I had thought). He remembered it well because he said we both were so adamant that Gator Ray just go for the tie and salvage the season since they had struggled so all throughout that game. He remembers we were so excited when Alvaraez caught that pass that he jumped up and knocked over the radio and broke the thing! Had to grab an old transistor to hear Otis announce the conclusion to the game! He was so excited Carlos Alvarez had actually addressed the Tulane game in a post here--he kept saying, what an honor, what an honor!! I agree!!

^^and THAT'S why it's great to be part of Gator Nation!
Thanks for sharing.

The Flop was in 1971. Reaves and Alvarez's senior year. I wasn't at the game but I remember yelling at the radio in the fourt quarter, "Let'em score, let 'em score". And the Gators did the "Flop" to let Miami score! What the Canes that hate the Gators so much don't seem to remember is that Miami (and Curci) were behind, running the ball, and not even trying to score in order to keep the ball from the Gators and keep the Gators from a shot at the record.

The coolest thing about that game was all of the cubans in the end zone screaming like crazy for Carlos and the gators....

That, and the day before going to the Madrid on Douglas/37th and having puerco....it was just a pig they had cooked in a hole in the ground. To die for.

very, very cool.

quote:

Originally posted by gatorspook:
The coolest thing about that game was all of the cubans in the end zone screaming like crazy for Carlos and the gators....

That, and the day before going to the Madrid on Douglas/37th and having puerco....it was just a pig they had cooked in a hole in the ground. To die for.
very, very cool.

mmmmm...yucca and mojo pork...
dammit, spook!

quote:

Originally posted by tadees:

quote:

Originally posted by gatorspook:
The coolest thing about that game was all of the cubans in the end zone screaming like crazy for Carlos and the gators....

That, and the day before going to the Madrid on Douglas/37th and having puerco....it was just a pig they had cooked in a hole in the ground. To die for.
very, very cool.

mmmmm...yucca and mojo pork...
dammit, spook!

puerco con arroz amarillo y frijoles negras, maduros, malangas, sangria (mucho) y cascones de guava con queso cremo....y cafe con leche...the real kind they make in an old sock....

quote:

Originally posted by gatorspook:

quote:

Originally posted by tadees:

quote:

Originally posted by gatorspook:
The coolest thing about that game was all of the cubans in the end zone screaming like crazy for Carlos and the gators....

That, and the day before going to the Madrid on Douglas/37th and having puerco....it was just a pig they had cooked in a hole in the ground. To die for.
very, very cool.

mmmmm...yucca and mojo pork...
dammit, spook!

puerco con arroz amarillo y frijoles negras, maduros, malangas, sangria (mucho) y cascones de guava con queso cremo....y cafe con leche...the real kind they make in an old sock....

Sorry, Cuban ex-GF. Don't understand a word you just wrote, but damn that was some good food!

(Actually, considered holding on for a few extra weeks just cause the holidays were coming around. ...but I didn't. And I still regret it!)


edit: I see black beans 'n rice! I hate you ) just messin'

double-edit: sorry to mess up what was an otherwise monumental thread. (Sorry)

Carlos Alvarez posting on GSMB. Wow.

Years of watching Florida football - that game with UK on Doug's Rug was late in the year - a beautiful clear fall day. UK won 14-7 and Derrick Ramsey was their quarteback. As I recall, there were only 2 penalties in that game. For years (though we lost) I called it the Perfect Game...

Welcome Carlos

Just want to be a part of the welcome party. I have nothing to say on the actual topic.

Welcome Carlos.

quote:

Originally posted by gatorspook:
The coolest thing about that game was all of the cubans in the end zone screaming like crazy for Carlos and the gators....

That, and the day before going to the Madrid on Douglas/37th and having puerco....it was just a pig they had cooked in a hole in the ground. To die for.

very, very cool.

I was a sophmore home for the Thanksgiving holiday(went to high school in Miami). One of my best friends was in the Gator band, they were staying on the beach. So I got to see the history making momemts in person. How sweet it was! I can still remember being there and the partying afterwards. Great memories!

quote:

Originally posted by tadees:

quote:

Originally posted by gatorspook:

quote:

Originally posted by tadees:

quote:

Originally posted by gatorspook:
The coolest thing about that game was all of the cubans in the end zone screaming like crazy for Carlos and the gators....

That, and the day before going to the Madrid on Douglas/37th and having puerco....it was just a pig they had cooked in a hole in the ground. To die for.
very, very cool.

mmmmm...yucca and mojo pork...
dammit, spook!

puerco con arroz amarillo y frijoles negras, maduros, malangas, sangria (mucho) y cascones de guava con queso cremo....y cafe con leche...the real kind they make in an old sock....

Sorry, Cuban ex-GF. Don't understand a word you just wrote, but damn that was some good food!

(Actually, considered holding on for a few extra weeks just cause the holidays were coming around. ...but I didn't. And I still regret it!)


edit: I see black beans 'n rice! I hate you ) just messin'

double-edit: sorry to mess up what was an otherwise monumental thread. (Sorry)

The restaurant was in gables where douglas turns to 37th...I think they call it the havana madrid today. They cooked little baby pigs...wow were they good. malangas are a white meat root vegetable that they grate and pan fry....the other is desert, guava shells in syrup with cream cheese....sweet cut by the cream cheese...and the old traditional coffee was made by boiling the coffee in an old sock, then mixing with scalded milk.

Sorry to delve into the food stuff, but in case anyone was interested....

back to Carlos....

I have enjoyed reading the posts. I just got back from almost 2 days of kayaking so I am back at the computer. There are many questions about my playing days and my teammates and coaches that I simply do not have time to answer fully in a post. Some of these things can get also get misinterpreted in a short reply. I will say that to me John Reaves had the easiest pass to catch of any Florida quarterback ever. I obviously did not catch balls from other quarterbacks (except Spurrier) but I can tell from trajectory, speed and spiral that at the very least no one has thrown it better than John. John has had his troubles off the field but I can tell you that he was a terrific talent, teammate and friend. He was also a very courageous classical drop back passer. Hopefully things will go better for him in the future. The interceptions at Auburn (the only game we lost that year) was the result of Auburn using a defensive scheme (5-2 defense, now most often called "Cover 2")that they had never used before and we had never worked against. Our game plan was not set up for that defense and we struggled the whole game. Too bad because Houston, a team we decisively beat in our first game, played Auburn in a bowl game at the end of that year and beat Auburn badly. We would have won the SEC if we had beat Auburn and we did beat the eventual winner, Tennessee, in the Gator Bowl game. By the way, our defense played great in the Auburn game but as you can imagine, 9 interceptions is too much to overcome. It is also too bad because our game plans and coaching that year were phenomenal. (Yes, Coach Ellinson, our defensive coordinator would have made a great head coach.) Both from a technical and inspirational standpoint that was the best coaching I have ever been directly involved with. Many stories to tell there. Most of the players and coaches from that team are still close friends. This year that team will have a reunion (we do it every 5 years) at one of the Gator games. One bit of odd trivia is that John Reaves brother-in-law is the new Tennessee head coach, Lane Kiffin. He married John,s daughter, Leila. I was at their wedding in Tampa when Kiffin was an assistant coach for the Jaguars.

By the way, I have had the privilege to be in the locker room with Urban Meyer and the Florida team and it is obvious that he has the emotional connection, respect and loyalty of his players. It was very nice to experience. I hope gator fans stay strong in their support of Coach Meyer and the program (we all know that a NC cannot be won every year) because guys like him are a very rare find. And as always Go Gators and many thanks for your kind thoughts.

quote:

Originally posted by ca.alvarez:
By the way, I have had the privilege to be in the locker room with Urban Meyer and the Florida team and it is obvious that he has the emotional connection, respect and loyalty of his players. It was very nice to experience. I hope gator fans stay strong in their support of Coach Meyer and the program (we all know that a NC cannot be won every year) because guys like him are a very rare find. And as always Go Gators and many thanks for your kind thoughts.

Couldn't agree more! GO GATORS!

PLEASE STICKY THIS THREAD!! How many times will anyone ever get to read firsthand Gator football history and current thoughts on the subject from a legendary Gator like Carlos Alvarez??!!

Mr. Alvarez--Please come back as often as you can. Reading your posts have brought back so many great memories and 'hearing' them directly from you has been awesome!

I don't want to lose this thread, so I'm going to Sticky it...if any of the other MODS think it's too cluttered up top, then you can take it down.

Mr. Alvarez,

You obviously have a deep love and knowledge of our game and Gator lore. Not to mention your Cuban heritage. I hope you get to put it all in a book someday of us all to enjoy!

Maybe the Sun bookwriters will take note!

God bless you, brother/legend Gator!

quote:

Originally posted by GatorRuss:
I don't want to lose this thread, so I'm going to Sticky it...if any of the other MODS think it's too cluttered up top, then you can take it down.

As far as I'm concerned, if it gets too cluttered, the OTHER threads can get un-stickied...

I was here!

quote:

Originally posted by gatorbait86:

quote:

Originally posted by GatorRuss:
I don't want to lose this thread, so I'm going to Sticky it...if any of the other MODS think it's too cluttered up top, then you can take it down.

As far as I'm concerned, if it gets too cluttered, the OTHER threads can get un-stickied...

I agree. Didn't there used to be a Hall of Fame forum for threads like this? If not then this thread should deserve to create a HOF forum and this should be the first thread in there. Till then I agree with gatorbait86.

quote:

Originally posted by gator_b8:

quote:

Originally posted by gatorbait86:

quote:

Originally posted by GatorRuss:
I don't want to lose this thread, so I'm going to Sticky it...if any of the other MODS think it's too cluttered up top, then you can take it down.

As far as I'm concerned, if it gets too cluttered, the OTHER threads can get un-stickied...

I agree. Didn't there used to be a Hall of Fame forum for threads like this? If not then this thread should deserve to create a HOF forum and this should be the first thread in there. Till then I agree with gatorbait86.

Yeah, like pete from deet....

Thank you Carlos for representing our University so well over the years. I often think of that group under Graves (and Ellison) as the guys who laid the foundation for Gator greatness. You were certainly a huge part of that and I can't thank you enough. I lost my father last year and he often recounted stories about Reeves to Alverez and many others.

Even more so, the way you have carried yourself as a Gator all these years has been a real tribute to our University. Thanks for remaining such an important part of our program. All of us truly appreciate it.

quote:

Originally posted by PastyStoole:
Thank you Carlos for representing our University so well over the years. I often think of that group under Graves (and Ellison) as the guys who laid the foundation for Gator greatness. You were certainly a huge part of that and I can't thank you enough. I lost my father last year and he often recounted stories about Reeves to Alverez and many others.

Again, I appreciate the thought and sorry about the passing of your dad. My dad passed away suddenly in 1973, one year after I graduated form Florida and I had just finished my first year of law school at Duke. Over the years I have been comforted that my dad, who hardly spoke English and barely understood the game of football before I played at Florida, at least saw me play as a Gator (he drove with my mom to every game--home or away) and he saw my two brothers graduate from the University of Florida Law School the year I got my undergraduate degree. He was a hero to me and my brothers. I still remember him walking with me on Florida Field when we had Father's Day before one of the home games and him raising his hand in a peace sign to the student section. The roar of the student section at that moment still plays in my mind.

A couple of other thoughts on items raised in these postings and rather appropriate given the Obama inauguration tomorrow. Willie Jackson and Leonard George were the the first two African-American players at Florida. They were in the class behind me. Willie was a gifted runner and receiver (best pure athlete on the team and could play either tailback or wide receiver) and you can see from his sons that also played at Florida the great gene pool in that family. Leonard was not quite as naturally talented but always gave 100% and ended up playing defensive back at Florida even though he was a tailback in high school. I feel privileged to have been their teammate and friend. They deserve our eternal thanks because it was not easy for them back then(I still remember separate black and white bathrooms in some areas)including a black student walkout of the university in 1970 that put Leonard and Willie in very difficult positions. They handled it with class and honor and I will never forget the team meeting where Leonard talked about the difficulty of the situation for him. HBO has recently carried a documentary on the integration of college football in the south and generally the documentary is fine on the broader issues but is lacking on the specific facts and gives too much credit to Alabama for the integration gains in the late 60's early 70's. Even though I had my problems with Coach Dickey when he came to Florida for other reasons, he should have been given more credit for the integration gains while he was at Tennessee. He recruited African-Americans before most realized that it was the morally (and athletically) correct thing to do.

We (former players, fans, coaches and administration) all contributed to what the program is today. I call it each contributing a brick (physically and emotionally) to Florida Field and that is what makes Florida Field so special to the Gator Nation. To have played at Florida was an honor for me and I still get the same adrenalin rush I use to get when the team first comes on the field for the game. I think most former players will admit to that. To have that in your memory bank is special. I am still baffled why any recruit from the state of Florida would go anywhere else. It is not even close. And hell yes I am biased.................

quote:

Originally posted by ca.alvarez:
We (former players, fans, coaches and administration) all contributed to what the program is today. I call it each contributing a brick (physically and emotionally) to Florida Field and that is what makes Florida Field so special to the Gator Nation. To have played at Florida was an honor for me and I still get the same adrenalin rush I use to get when the team first comes on the field for the game. I think most former players will admit to that. To have that in your memory bank is special. I am still baffled why any recruit from the state of Florida would go anywhere else. It is not even close. And hell yes I am biased.................

OK I just got goosebumps.

Thanks Carlos for the memories.Reaves to alvarez,Tommy Durrance,WOW what a great time in gator history.

What emories. I think that was the game that the Pride of the Sunshine Band displayed their new uniforms and Otis just kept talking about them
I remember listening to the radio and Otis saying siomething along these lines I swear you will think I am drunk but all the Gator defenders just flopped down on the ground and Miami scored an easy touchdown

this might be the best thread evah!

Is there a such thing as an internet bow? For we are in the company of greatness.

I was but a young pup back in those days but because my dad was a gator fan I started liking the gators. But I didn't really start listening to the games until the Reeves/Alvarez years. Then I was hooked. My dad rarely said anything during a game, very quiet type. But when the flop occurred I can still recall looking at him and he had one of the biggest grins I've ever seen. We were very fortunate to have witnessed not only that event but the whole careers of Reeves and Alvarez. me and my buddies all had Fl jerseys with the numbers of Reeves, Alvarez, Durrance and the other running back (Rich I believe?) Growing up here in Tallahassee I can recall how the sports editor of the local paper (who was the biggest homer ever) loathed the Reeves to Alvarez connection. Thanks for the memories.

Carlos, thanks for all the memories and inside info from my 'glory days' lol...

I went to school with John Reaves, Jim Hadley, and Larry Smith so I used to follow you guys pretty carefully...

Of course, back then, it was mostly radio and newspaper... I remember looking forward to the Tampa Tribune every morning to catch a note on practices or prepping for the games... And then devouring every word in the Sunday paper in the fall...

Thanks for contributing and thank you for representing the Gator Nation so well all these years... We are truly proud of you as a player, and more importantly as an alum of UF...

PS: NO ONE suffered more to play every week (knees) than Carlos Alvarez...

I wasn't even close to being alive when Willie Jackson and Leonard George played, so please forgive me if my post sounds really naive. But did Hispanic players have a hard time too during that era based on their ethnicity?

I got goosebumps, too, reading Carlos' last post.

I VOTE:

FORM A HALL OF FAME thread NOW,
and let Carlos' gem be the first.

And thanks, Carlos...


a true...

quote:

Originally posted by GoGoGator:
I wasn't even close to being alive when Willie Jackson and Leonard George played, so please forgive me if my post sounds really naive. But did Hispanic players have a hard time too during that era based on their ethnicity?

No, Hispanic players did not have the same problem assuming, of course, the color of their skin was white. There were not, however, a lot of Hispanic players playing football back then. At least I never felt any discrimination and while I was not heavily recruited out of high school (I had been a running back and had caught one pass in my high school career) I did have several offers from SEC and other southern schools. There were a couple of funny incidents that I do remember but they were harmless and in no way discriminatory. One was playing Mississippi State at night in Jackson, Mississippi my sophomore year. Around the third quarter I caught a long fly pattern along the sideline and was hit immediately as I went out-of-bounds. The ref called the pass incomplete because he felt I was out-of-bounds on the catch but I felt it was not even close---I was in-bound. I protested briefly when a nearby Mississippi Highway Patrol Officer next to the play said, in the classic southern drawl, "Mr. Alvarez, that was in-bounds in Havana but it is out-of-bounds in Mississippi." Made us both laugh. We did beat them that night but I have hated cowbells (played by what seem to be all Mississippi State fans throughout the game) ever since...............

Carlos, it is a genuine thrill to read your posts here and to enjoy your insight and perspective on past and present Gator players and coaches. (Love the "that's in bounds Havana" anecdote...)

As a personal aside, I worked on a deal with Cesar almost 15 years ago (I worked and lived in LA at the time). I was like a teenage Beatles fan in '64 letting everyone at my firm know how excited I was, and they should be, about working with the Cuban Comet's brother (it was a contentious deal so I didn't let Cesar know how excited I was...).

Thank you again for treating us to your thoughts.

Saludos.

quote:

I obviously did not catch balls from other quarterbacks (except Spurrier) but I can tell from trajectory, speed and spiral that at the very least no one has thrown it better than John.

When did you catch passes from Spurrier?

quote:

Originally posted by rogerwh:
Is there a such thing as an internet bow? For we are in the company of greatness.

I was but a young pup back in those days but because my dad was a gator fan I started liking the gators. But I didn't really start listening to the games until the Reeves/Alvarez years. Then I was hooked. My dad rarely said anything during a game, very quiet type. But when the flop occurred I can still recall looking at him and he had one of the biggest grins I've ever seen. We were very fortunate to have witnessed not only that event but the whole careers of Reeves and Alvarez. me and my buddies all had Fl jerseys with the numbers of Reeves, Alvarez, Durrance and the other running back (Rich I believe?) Growing up here in Tallahassee I can recall how the sports editor of the local paper (who was the biggest homer ever) loathed the Reeves to Alvarez connection. Thanks for the memories.

Bill McGrotha, Sports Editor of the Tallahassee Demagogue. He must be the all-time most biased editor of a State Capital newsrag. He NEVER gave the Gators their due. And he hated my high school team as well. My junior year, we thrashed one of our most hated rivals. The headline of the Democrat's story read: "TIGERS EDGE BLOUNTSTOWN 48-7." I've never forgiven the old fart.

quote:

Originally posted by Gatormac2112:

quote:

I obviously did not catch balls from other quarterbacks (except Spurrier) but I can tell from trajectory, speed and spiral that at the very least no one has thrown it better than John.

When did you catch passes from Spurrier?

...'tis an interesting question.

quote:

Originally posted by ca.alvarez:

quote:

Originally posted by GoGoGator:
I wasn't even close to being alive when Willie Jackson and Leonard George played, so please forgive me if my post sounds really naive. But did Hispanic players have a hard time too during that era based on their ethnicity?

No, Hispanic players did not have the same problem assuming, of course, the color of their skin was white. There were not, however, a lot of Hispanic players playing football back then. At least I never felt any discrimination and while I was not heavily recruited out of high school (I had been a running back and had caught one pass in my high school career) I did have several offers from SEC and other southern schools. There were a couple of funny incidents that I do remember but they were harmless and in no way discriminatory. One was playing Mississippi State at night in Jackson, Mississippi my sophomore year. Around the third quarter I caught a long fly pattern along the sideline and was hit immediately as I went out-of-bounds. The ref called the pass incomplete because he felt I was out-of-bounds on the catch but I felt it was not even close---I was in-bound. I protested briefly when a nearby Mississippi Highway Patrol Officer next to the play said, in the classic southern drawl, "Mr. Alvarez, that was in-bounds in Havana but it is out-of-bounds in Mississippi." Made us both laugh. We did beat them that night but I have hated cowbells (played by what seem to be all Mississippi State fans throughout the game) ever since...............

That's a great story and would make a classic Hollywood line in a movie!

quote:

Originally posted by tadees:

quote:

Originally posted by Gatormac2112:
[QUOTE]I obviously did not catch balls from other quarterbacks (except Spurrier) but I can tell from trajectory, speed and spiral that at the very least no one has thrown it better than John.

When did you catch passes from Spurrier?

I came to Florida after Steve had graduated. Steve use to come to Gainesville during the summer every once in a while (he was playing pro ball with the 49ers at the time)to work out and he and John Reaves would throw the football at Florida Field and Florida receivers (or anyone else out there, yes it was a lot easier getting on Florida Field back then) could catch passes. John and Steve were good friends and Steve had a lot of influence on John, who could have gone anywhere, coming to Florida. I should have sent Steve a gift a long time ago for getting John to Florida because without John, I would have been a fair defensive back. John, I think, was a better passer than Steve but there was never any question about Steve's in-depth knowledge of the game and his incredible competitive spirit.

I remember the Gator Flop well, you see it was my wedding night and my wife (of 33 years and also a Gator grad) watched the game on a local Miami TV station where we were staying (DuPont Plaza). At any rate we wouldn't miss a Gator game even on our wedding night.

My first introduction to Florida football was the UF - Houston game (I'd transferred down from Western Michigan) and I recall being amazed at that 70+ yard TD pass. I grew up watching Big 10 football and the great Michigan State teams of the era and recall saying at the time that I'd never seen a Big 10 team pass like that. To me it was like watching the pros - just wasn't done where I came from. The Reaves to Alvarez pass in the Houston opener is one of my fondest memories and my introduction to the dynamic nature of Florida football.

Also, as far as the big loss to Auburn that year, I recall running into a 6'8" Aurburn fan with a chicken hat on just chortling and hollering after the game as we were walking back to the frat house (it was Homecoming). I was ready to take a swing at the guy but thankfully my survival instincts kicked in and I bit my lip - good thing too as my next stop probably would've been to the emergency room at Shands, LOL.

Lot's of great memories about Gator football since my introduction in 1969.

Congratulations to Carlos Alvarez for being a great Alum - enjoy seeing him on the sidelines at games today.

UF'71