Dan Mullen apologizes for 'pack The Swamp' comments, updates virus situation at Florida
Florida coach Dan Mullen stirred some controversy on Saturday when he said Florida should “pack The Swamp” for the upcoming LSU game after he saw the spirited atmosphere in the loss at Texas A&M.
On Wednesday during the SEC coaches media teleconference, he apologized for these comments he made on Saturday.
“I know our governor passed that rule so certainly, hopefully, the UF administration decides to let us pack the Swamp against LSU — 100 percent — because that crowd was certainly a factor in the game,” Mullen said.
On Wednesday, he struck a different tone, even after he face multiple questions on Monday about regretting making those comments.
“I think they’ve done a great job for us here in Florida and I think, you know, one of the things I think, I think a lot of my comment maybe got taken into what I’m demanding but it was more than whatever our health, health officials allow us to have in,” Mullen said. “That’s what we want to have in the stadium to keep everybody safe and healthy, and as well as create an unbelievable environment for players and create energy within the stadium and I thought today I’ve had a chance to look at the news over the last 24 hours and Saturday he’s like the you’re looking at that the (New Orleans) Saints are trying to play games in that group of fans in the stands. And those things so I certainly apologize if I offended people or anybody out there, I think anybody that knows me knows our program knows how we do things. We have great respect for, you know, our all of our local health officials, and for what they’ve been able to do and what we’ve been doing here. Since July well really, you know, I mean going all the way back to march and since July was brought our team back on campus.”
Mullen said Florida is waiting on today’s test results, and he wouldn’t speculate on if the LSU game will be played. He said two assistants have tested positive, but he hasn’t.
“So the next step is where we’re currently at right here which is, you know, for us right now to take everybody through a little bit of of our situation of what’s going on,” he said. “I think our medical staff has done a tremendous job since back in July. Putting safety protocols in place you know with an abundance of caution here within our program. I think, you know, the month of August and September we only had one positive, as you know, in talking to some of my peers around college football I think we’re still on the, on the very low number of positive tests.
What we did is our medical people we saw a slight spike with positive tests on Sundays tests, and a couple guys showing a combination of not just COVID symptoms, but with cold symptoms and we so we immediately started testing guys for both the flu and COVID we went through the change and that’s the only protocol we have changed.”
When people run in circles it’s a mad, mad world.
If Grantham tested positive, we need to play the game because we have a better shot without him calling the defense.
Jokes about anyone having a potential life altering disease is in poor taste. IMO.
I don’t think 96G8r is joking…sounds sincere to me
What I think is in poor taste is the UF administration forcing Mullen to walk back his opinion…if he honestly feels that way why must he be chastised? Ignorance isn’t against the law…
“I think they’ve done a great job for us here in Florida and I think, you know, one of the things I think, I think a lot of my comment maybe got taken into what I’m demanding but it was more than whatever our health, health officials allow us to have in,” Mullen said – WTH?
I really dont understand all the Hate Mullen got over the comments. The governor opened the state, left it up to the people to decide! I personally would not go to a packed football game, but I do beleieve its time to lift alot of these restrictions and leave it up to the people!
^absolutely
Is this MuLLLen’s “death threats” moment?
Should it be?
If he didn’t win a couple of NY6 bowls (while being completely owned by Kirby Smart), would Sideshow Dan the Clown be in serious trouble today?
Mullen has invented a new way of talking.
Mullen’s comments could be reduced by about 25% if he’d stop with the, “you know” interjections. You get a pass on fumbling, filler verbiage only when you have a few NC rings, and then it has to be “aiight.”
Whether to leave the verbal fillers in is up to the discretion of the reporter. Often what one reads in the media is not syllable-for-syllable what was said. For whatever reason, Farner chose to leave them in.
I guess in today’s world, people have to apologize for anything that makes people upset.
^ sad truth!
Packing the Swamp sounds a lot like what the Democrats want to with the court. Pack the court.