April 17, 2011
="" alt="Knight Head" border="0" class="imported"> Read the Knights Insider | ="" alt="Twitter Logo" border="0" class="imported">Follow us on Twitter | ="" alt="Facebook Logo" border="0" class="imported">Get social with the Knights on Facebook
By Marc Daniels
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - The night before UCF's Spring Game more than two dozen former Knights who either currently play or have played in the NFL gathered to be honored by coach George O'Leary and UCF Athletics. The room was filled with those with Super Bowl rings, all-pro game appearances and others who had the chance to play the game at the highest level.
The talk touched on everything from the current NFL lockout to holding the Lombardi Trophy to the old weight room at UCF. But every Knight-for-life player had something to say about their program and where it stands today. As UCF celebrates a conference title and its first bowl, so does this group of players. They proudly voice their allegiance and passion for UCF football across NFL locker rooms from coast-to-coast. There is a new confidence at UCF because tradition is building and expectations are high and players from the past and present believe the program has now reached a new level on the national scene that can only get bigger.
"It's amazing to see these guys do what they did last year," said Miami Dolphins receiver Brandon Marshall during our radio broadcast on Saturday. "I'm so proud to be a Knight and UCF football has arrived and it's only going to get better."
No one earns a national ranking or wins a conference title during a scrimmage in April, but fans and former players got a glimpse of the 2011 Knights and the view is a good one. UCF teams keep getting bigger, stronger, faster and more talented.
"Many of us former players helped build the tradition that coach O'Leary talks about," said Super Bowl Champion Josh Sitton of the Green Bay Packers. "But you can see these guys want to help that tradition grow and what they did last year was amazing and I know it will continue to get better and better."
O'Leary asked those former Knight players to keep selling the brand of UCF football and he knows what kind of playful trash talking takes place in NFL locker rooms during a season.
"I know guys brag about their schools all the time," said O'Leary. "Well, now you can brag and we will continue to do our part so you can keep on bragging about UCF."
It was not long ago that UCF players in the NFL could fit in a small phone booth. Former four-year center Mike Gruttadauria played a decade in the NFL and won a Super Bowl ring with St. Louis Rams remembers how it was impossible to hold a dinner like he attended this past Friday.
"It was myself, Sean and Greg Jefferson and that was it," said Gruttadauria, now is a radio analyst for UCF. "Now, I look around and see so many players who are either in the league or played and it's just amazing."
He adds that with the current program success comes additional responsibilities for former players.
"I want to sell the UCF brand and tell everyone about the stadium, facilities and commitment because I want to keep hearing people say they know about UCF and that helps all of us off the field in the endeavors we are involved in as former players."
From Orlando to Green Bay to even Buffalo, the UCF brand is selling. Torell Troup, now with the Buffalo Bills, says he proudly sports his UCF gear whenever he can and might be the loudest fan out there.
"I almost broke my couch jumping up and down watching games on ESPN last year," said the former all-conference defensive tackle. "I just love watching the guys play and last year was just awesome."
There was a time it was not awesome. There was a time it was a challenge to get former players to come back and gather. But O'Leary made it a priority when he was hired to reach out to those who help build the program he now coaches. And whether you played for him or not, O'Leary believes in the "Once a Knight, Always a Knight" mentality.
"These guys are the blood, sweat and tears of what UCF football is," said O'Leary. "I want them to know this program is their program and they are always welcome back."
And many of them came back this past weekend and saw a team that they can be proud of. They saw a team that is understanding the sacrifices the former players made and to understand that when this current team takes the field, they play for their teammates, both past and present.
Knights notes and more: My favorite play of the spring game was seeing Brynn Harvey break free for a 32-yard run. It was the old Harvey and come the fall, UCF will have one of the deepest backfields in the country...Keep an eye on Justin Tukes. The early entry true freshman tight end might be a factor in the offense come fall...I get confused early and often when it comes to jersey numbers 58 and 59. Defensive end Troy Davis, who wears 58, was a beast on Saturday. He has been a beast all spring and will be a beast come fall. LeBranden Richardson, who wears 59, was a beast on Saturday. He has been a beast all spring and will be a beast come fall...Yes, that is Sean Beckton making catches out there for the Knights. Not the UCF Athletics Hall-of-Famer, but the son of the Hall-of-Famer. Dad asked me to make a big deal on the radio if his son made a catch. Memo to Dad, we made three big deals...Final thought: Just to clear up your confusion, that would be Wiz Khalifa in concert at the UCF Arena this upcomingWednesday. You might be familiar with his hit single "Black and Yellow." Please do not confuse him with Waka Flocka and his big hit "No Hands." It's easy to confuse the two, but they are different. So if you are coming to the baseball game against Florida or going to the concert or both, make sure you arrive on campus early.
Marc Daniels' From the Press Box runs several times per month on UCFAthletics.com. Listen to Marc during UCF football, men's basketball and baseball radio broadcasts on the UCF Sports Network. Each weekday, Marc hosts The Beat of Sports on ESPN Radio 1080 in Orlando.