Does Everybody Hate Chris? No, but some folks seem to


Chris Leak, The Baited Gator

Ok I was watching the NFL Scouting Combine and watching uber hottie Chris Leak made me do some online searches for any new websites of him. I came across a couple articles I hadn't read before. These articles are old but I've had some people tell me that the Chris Leak/Tim Tebow thing wasn't that big of an issue at UF. I think the articles describe that it clearly was. That was the main reason I was ecstatic that the Gators won the national championship. That boy had to endure some bullshit at UF and he handled it with the utmost of class. I know its backwater Gainesville so what should you expect but I thought it was disgusting how Leak's own fellow school fans treated him.

Meanwhile, far be it from the ignorant to notice that Tebow doesn't even have an arm close to Chris. He's basically a halfback who can throw a little. I'm not saying he won't get better but he is nowhere in Chris' league when it comes to passing the ball. Why the Gator fans thought he was the second coming is beyond me?

I think it's one thing for fans to come down heavy on the players and the coaching staff-I think we're all guilty of that at one time or another but to do it because of race is wrong

As a Gator and one that still knows many of the peope in G'ville... I can tell you that many of the articles blow the situation out of proportion... what else is new. Chris Leak did take many hits, but the Coach was always behind him and the campus stayed on his side, as long as he won...

Exactly....as long as he won. Seems rather conditional to me, whereas I believe if Tebow was in the same position he wouldn't have gotten as much flack. I've been to Gainesville a few times and counted the minutes that my business was done and I could get the HELL out of dodge. Something tells me that Leak and his family don't think it was an exaggeration.

Another Gator fan comment. Yes, there are Gator fans who hated Leak. [I was not one of them, never. He is too hot to contemplate it, and he's a great QB and winner too ] Yes, there are Gator fans who hated him because they were used to routinely winning 9-10 games/season and competing for SEC championships before Leak (and Zook) came in. A lot of the frustration of not winning "enough" games was unfairly transferred onto Leak. Nobody is perfect, and when you are not winning "enough", your imperfections get highlighted. As unfair as it is, it is how the world unfortunately operates. I will even go so far as to say that there may have been a handful of bigoted racist fans who hated Leak simply because he was African American and was as successful as he was. But the media articles were blown out of proportion, especially the second article you listed. That was plain ridiculous. Would I say this is fair? Absolutely not. Leak should have been celebrated for his successes. That he was not until the absolute tail end of his career (after SEC championship game), in my opinion, was mainly stupid reactions of a fairly small section fan base addicted to winning championships and tremendous swagger than any other factor. It is true that during the first two years of Leak, Gators lost more home games than they had in the past 10+ years. Such statistic, especially among have-been jocks, causes alarm. Is it far that any of this was laid on Leak's feet? Absolutely not. What could have been done? He did everything he was asked and more. All the coaches, most of the media and a large chunk of the fan base recognized it and duly praised him for his contributions. Leak is one of the top two QBs to have ever played in Florida. His record will silence all those naysayers. Let them eat their crow.

Funny how you bring up articles so old to make your points love the slam on gainesville as well?/ What do you dart in and out of burning crosses all over town-
I haven't missed home game since I graduated..... I felt the frustration with Leak like many.... it had nothing to do with being black it had to do with until this season the way he played scared....... until this season it was very apparent Leak was very very afraid to get hit and would avoid it at all costs even the possiblity of a first down if defenders were anywhere ( even 5 yards away). He would slide or run out of bounds. I was at the game when the quarterback change got a boo out of the crowd. It was no where near as loud or spread as some media trys to report.
I was estatic for Leak when he seemed to settle into Meyer's system (or Meyer settle into Leak's style) this season.... He definitely became more of a leader and took many more chances and even a few hits..
BUT no way we win the national championship this year without both Tebow and Leak.. 4th down at Tenn without Tebow prob can't go for it most likely lose...... That's why the fans booed the decision to bring Leak back not Leak himself.......
Stir up all the racist propaganda you like.... Would Leak's brother join coaching staff if such an atmosphere existed? Gainesville is probably the most liberal city in all of Florida........ Do us all a favor take your business elsewhere so you don't have to "count the minutes"

I'm just curious if the fans made it clear to Leak that they weren't booing him-was a press conference given after the game or something?

Thank you!! And I do believe I know what my experience was like in Gainesville. If its not the norm then thats great. I'm just telling you what mine was like. I speak for myself, not an entire group of people. So save it.

It was made clear in statements to the media from Leak himself.... Meyer also mentioned in his talk show the next day that the fans were booing his decision not Leak.
I'd love to hear some examples of your experiences that back up your propaganda..... No one else has made any allegations concerning Gainesville fostering racist issues....... If you're gonna start a thread be prepared to back it up......... and to have people call you on it........