GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- There's a reason they call it The Swamp
-- because of days like Thursday, where the sun played hide and seek
between gray, soupy clouds, and a quick walk across the street was
enough to leave a T-shirt layered in sweat.
There's also a reason Eraste Autin and 26 other freshmen
reported to Florida early for voluntary practices. Just like
incoming freshmen in programs all over the country, they need the
extra time to get ready, not only for the climate, but for the
rigors of big-time college football.
Autin, a fullback from Lafayette, La., died of complications
related to heat stroke Wednesday. He collapsed last week after one
of Florida's voluntary practices.
The day after his death, practice went on, but so many lives had
been changed.
"He was a specimen of good health," said Autin's mother,
Joanie. "He was never sick. He was so excited about going to
Florida. It was his first real time away from home."
At the parents' request, no autopsy was performed. A cause of
death is normally listed on the death certificate, but that had not
become public record as of Thursday. Autin's funeral was set for
Saturday morning in Lafayette.
Because they figured Autin would have wanted it this way, the
Gators ran their final freshman workout of the summer exactly the
same way they ran the 15 before it.
At about 4 p.m., when the freshmen were through lifting weights,
they jogged out to the practice field. They stretched, went through
agility drills, ran a series of sprints, and stopped for water
whenever they needed it.
Seven members of the Florida training staff supervised.
"Other people at other schools call and say they don't have
anyone out there supervising during their workouts," strength
coach Rob Glass said. "Believe me, at Florida, we're at the apex
of what's going on out there."
At the university where they invented Gatorade, athletics
director Jeremy Foley said a full review of all Florida's practice
regimen would begin shortly.
Still, there will be no easy fixes. Everyone present at the
practice said Autin drank plenty of water at his last practice, and
didn't show any signs of distress.
Florida State is undergoing a similar review in the wake of the
February death of Devaughn Darling.
"I don't know how much there is that will be changed, but when
something like this happens, that's natural," Florida State sports
information director Rob Wilson said.
Foley agreed.
Florida's offseason program is similar to dozens around the
country. They're hot, intense, and designed to whip players into
shape. No normal doctor would recommend these kind of the workouts
take place in the heat of the day. Then again, football players
routinely do things most doctors would never recommend.
"Most schools encourage kids to come to summer school and help
themselves academically," Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer said.
"Then, those guys work out together."
The alternative, Beamer said, is letting kids stay at home and
work out alone -- or not work out at all.
"This situation makes some people question things," Glass
said. "But believe me, if we didn't do any preparation, and all
they did was hit the field Aug. 8, you would be asking for a lot
more problems."
At Autin's old school, St. Thomas More High, friends gathered at
a church to honor their fallen friend, a top student who had dreams
of becoming a doctor, like his father. His high school coaches
decided to rename the Cougar Award, given to the player who shows
the best leadership skills, after Autin.
He had been offered an academic scholarship at LSU, and Nick
Saban was hoping to snag Autin as a walk-on so the Tigers could
save a football scholarship.
Autin's father, David, described him as deeply religious,
"outgoing, friendly, loving, always smiling, courageous, strong, a
good guy."
Florida coaches said he was the most enthusiastic of the
incoming group.
"I never wanted to temper his enthusiasm, but I had to tell
him, `Eraste we can't start football with you until Aug. 6,"'
running backs coach Lawson Holland said. "I told him to go to
class, study hall and work out. Enjoy the summer."
By almost every account, he did.
"We took a big hit yesterday losing him," freshman teammate
Mike Degory said. "But all of us have gotten together, we're
working harder. I think Eraste would have wanted us to work hard,
and never give up."
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