Florida suspended seven players, including star receiver Antonio Callaway, on Sunday afternoon for their 2017 season opener against Michigan. The announcement was made on the Gators’ Twitter account.
Seven Players Suspended for 2017 Season Opener
— Gators Football (@GatorsFB) August 13, 2017
Details: https://t.co/fkquzseQNC pic.twitter.com/2ihx2YbiZx
The group of players now ruled out for Week 1’s AdvoCare Classic in Arlington, Texas also includes James Houston, Kadeem Telfort, Keivonnis Davis, Jordan Smith, Richerd Desir-Jones and Ventrell Miller. No reasoning for the suspension was revealed by the Gators in their release. Head coach Jim McElwain did publish a statement on the matter:
"We have a small group of players that have made some choices that are extremely disappointing. Action has been taken – they have missed some practice and will miss the Michigan game. We will use this as a learning opportunity and we will have some players step up as we move forward."
Gators247’s Thomas Goldkamp reported in his story on GatorBait.net that the suspension comes on the heels of findings that the group improperly used funds provided by the school.
Florida's press release did not specify a reason for the suspensions, but sources informed GatorBait.net that they stem from a misuse of school-issued funds intended for specific use.
Callaway’s name, in particular, stands out in this group of suspended players. The Gators wide receiver has seen his ame come up in murky situations in the last two years. Callaway had received a citation for marijuana possession in May. A code of conduct violation led to a suspension for the wideout in 2016 also.
Time will tell to see if anything else comes of this matter. Needless to say, it’s a big blow to the Gators, who will have their hands full against the touted Wolverines at JerryWorld in Week 1.