Feleipe Franks explains his continued support for Florida, decision to travel to Orange Bowl: 'I'm always a Gator at the end of the day'
Feleipe Franks’ time at Florida may be nearing an end but that doesn’t mean he won’t continue to support his teammates and the program that gave him so much since arriving in Gainesville.
If you missed it, Franks announced following the end of the regular season that he will not return for his senior season to Florida, as he will explore his NFL Draft potential or leave the school as a graduate transfer to finish out his college career elsewhere.
Following Florida’s 36-28 win over Virginia in the Orange Bowl, Franks was interviewed down on the field and asked about his continued support of the Gator program and everything his teammates mean to him.
“I mean, it’s crazy. We see these guys work so hard all offseason coming up and just to see them celebrate like this and win this season is something special, it’s something that all of these guys deserve,” Franks said. “They work so hard for it. And you know you’re seeing it pay off, and that’s really what it boils down to.”
The quarterback was then asked what emotions he feels after watching his teammates win the Orange Bowl.
“I’m always a Gator at the end of the day, and you know I’ve been for four years, and I’ve built so many relationships football-wise, academically, people around the community that go a lifetime,” he continued. “I feel like I will always have a place in Gainesville, and like I said it’s a bittersweet moment. But, you know, I’m just proud of these guys.”
No matter where Franks ends up playing next season, while it won’t be with the Gators, his support for the Florida program and his former teammates will never waiver.
Caught up with Feleipe Franks last night after the #Gators won the #OrangeBowl. Franks was injured vs. Kentucky early in the year, stuck around and was with this team the whole way.
He'll finish his college career somewhere else next year but he will always be a Gator. pic.twitter.com/EOy5EUJIjc
— Daren Stoltzfus (@DarenStoltzfus) December 31, 2019
Such a classy guy. Hope that he has success at his next stop.
I agree! And he will do well if he is able to fully recover from his injury. He has so much raw talent and athleticism that he can make things happen. Our fanbase fell apart around him because of a few bad mistakes on the field but they seem to forget how many amazing things he did on the field. I wish him the best.
I believe that everyone will admit that Trask at Quarterback stabilized the Florida team and although very talented…Franks was erratic at best. The Gators would not have won 11 games this year with him at QB…I do not think. But…it’s great to see him still supporting his Gator-brothers.
I’m still not so sure and obviously we will never know. Two different styles and capabilities. I am confident that Trask is the reason we beat Kentucky. Franks was struggling badly that game and his head was too full of showing the fans they were wrong. But I also think because of Frank’s higher ceiling and athleticism we had a better chance of beating LSU and UGA. Either way, we had a great season and the future is bright for Gator Nation.
No way we beat Auburn after the devastation of a second loss in two years to Kentucky, and with those 2 losses no way we beat LSU or Georgia. With Franks it’s a 4-loss season. Trask saved not just the Kentucky game but the season. It’s time all Gators appreciate his 3rd highest QB Rating in the SEC (behind a Heisman winner and a Heisman contender) and his 12th highest QB Rating in the NCAA.
Agreed 100 percent. Franks has a higher ceiling, but a much lower floor. Trask provided the consistency that was needed.
I am troubled by his use of “their” as opposed to “our.” (This is my Wal-Mart psychology training speaking.) Franks is as much a part of this team this year as anyone even if he didn’t play the whole season. It seems like he already distanced himself from the team when he should still feel like a big part of their success. I sincerely wish him the best but it saddens me that he may feel he wasn’t part of this team.
Now I am doing it. *he should still feel like a big part of [its] success.
Arrow to true. He had his warts too but he is part of the 2019 team. Think the team needs to acknowledge that as well. No one will ever know where we would be if things were different. Go take the Gator standard with you young man.
He should look at Oregon. They could use his canon.