death of UF football player Michael Guilford continues to send
shockwaves through the Gators' program.
Slonina, 20, were killed around 1 a.m. Friday after Guilford's
motorcycle struck a median on Old Archer Road in Gainesville.
phone on Friday, and Guilford's teammates were hit hard by the
news.
happened, but I was already asleep so I didn't know I had the calls
until I woke up," quarterback Tim Tebow said. "I heard it early
this morning and talked to coaches - it was pretty early when I
found out, so it was soon after it happened."
Fla., contributed as the Gators' scout-team quarterback and also
played defensive back.
"Right when I heard it I was like, 'What, say it again.' I felt
horrible and sick about it. The first thing I did was pray for him
and his family."
a nearby gathering on Thursday night, and were planning to leave
before Guilford and Slonina - who met that night - decided to go
for a short ride on Guilford's motorcycle, according to roommate Bo
Howard.
Howard and the rest of Guilford's friends grew worried.
came to the house we were at and told us to call Michael because
they had seen a crashed silver motorcycle," said Howard, a former
walk-on and member of the 2006 National Championship team. "We
called him and he didn't pick up, so we went down there right
away.
They allowed us to identify the bike, and we saw his hat there so
we knew it was his."
walk-on, were charged with the tough task of notifying their
friend's family of his death.
in person early Friday.
take him home (Friday)," Howard said. "That's something you never
want to experience - having to tell a dad that his son was killed
in an accident."
meeting on the situation yet due to the bye weekend, but Florida
head coach Urban Meyer issued a statement on Friday regarding
Guilford's death.
of the tragic passing of Michael Guilford. He was an outstanding,
quality young man that was loved, respected and admired by all of
us. His unselfish efforts on helping his teammates getting ready to
play every week were only a glimpse of the person he was.
with Michael's family, friends and teammates during this sad and
difficult time. Our condolences and blessings also go to the family
and friends of Ashley Slonina who also passed away in this sad and
tragic accident."
because of his long, blond hair and resemblance to Ronnie
'Sunshine' Bass, a character from the movie "Remember the
Titans."
the main reason for the nickname, Howard said it was fitting for
Guilford's personality as well.
people," Howard said. "He really earned the name 'Sunshine' because
he was a ray of sunshine for everybody."
reality of his passing has been tough to comprehend.
it's something that you don't expect," Tebow said. "It's hard to
grasp it, but once you do it definitely gives you an appreciation
for everything and makes you approach life differently."
