Sports: Columns - The Independent Florida Alligator

FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019 file photo, Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) passes against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half of an NFL football game in Cleveland. Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield plans to kneel during the national anthem this upcoming season to support protests of social injustice, police brutality and racism, Saturday, June 13, 2020. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)

Sports

Which is better: College football or the NFL?

By Noah Ram | June 15, 2020

Why the big league NFL reigns supreme over college football

FILE - In this Sept. 10, 2019, file photo, St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Paul DeJong (12) runs the bases in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals in Denver. Reporters from The Associated Press spoke to more than two dozen athletes from around the globe -- representing seven countries and 11 sports -- to get a sense of how concerned or confident they are about resuming competition. Some wondered whether they would agree to receive a COVID-19 vaccine if required by their sport eventually. “I think it would stop at some sort of vaccine to play,” St. Louis Cardinals All-Star shortstop Paul DeJong said. “There is a fine line between what (MLB) can do to protect us and some things they can do to kind of exert power over us.”(AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

Sports

An open letter to MLB players and owners

By Noah Ram | May 31, 2020

“The one constant through all the years has been baseball.”

FILE - In this Dec. 15, 2019 file photo Los Angeles Rams punter Johnny Hekker kicks an onside kick during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas. The NFL is considering adding a “booth umpire” and a senior technology advisor to the referee to assist the officiating crew. The league also is looking at other rules changes, including an alternative to the onside kick. NFL clubs received a list of potential rules changes on Thursday, May 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman, file)

Sports

Should the NFL eliminate the kickoff?

By River Wells | May 27, 2020

The onside kick must stay as-is

Sports

Observations from a sports writer from New Jersey

By Declan Walsh | May 17, 2020

Growing up in New Jersey, an April afternoon looks quite different than one around Gainesville. The temperature is probably going to peak at 50 degrees, the trees and the flora are bare for the most part, and a trip to watch a Rutgers baseball game leaves you in the company of maybe 100 people.

Sports

Why the 2012 Gator football team should be remembered more fondly

By Michael Knauff | May 14, 2020

There isn’t a game that epitomizes the 2012 Florida Gators football team more than its matchup with South Carolina.

Sports

Please don't tweet at recruits

By River Wells | May 10, 2020

Hey, you. Yeah, you.

FILE - In this Aug. 24, 2019, file photo, the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers play during the second half of an NFL preseason football game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs will open defense of their Super Bowl championship by hosting Houston on Sept. 10 in the NFL's annual kickoff game — pending developments in the coronavirus pandemic, of course. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)

Sports

Your must-watch prime-time NFL games in 2020

By River Wells | May 7, 2020

The world may be wallowing in uncertainty, but as far as the National Football League is concerned, it’s business as usual on the gridiron.

Sports

Top 10 Recruiting Classes Won’t Cut It

By Zachary Huber | May 7, 2020

Coach Dan Mullen has preached to his team and the Florida faithful about living up to the Gator Standard since he set foot in Gainesville.

Stadium seats are empty as a part of precaution against the new coronavirus during a baseball game between Hanwha Eagles and SK Wyverns in Incheon, South Korea, Tuesday, May 5, 2020. With umpires fitted with masks and cheerleaders dancing beneath vast rows of empty seats, a new baseball season got underway in South Korea following a weeks-long delay because of the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Sports

I watched a Korean baseball game for the first time. Here’s what I learned.

By Brendan Farrell | May 7, 2020

I’ll admit that I’m not the biggest baseball guy.

FILE - In this Nov. 14, 1993, file photo, Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula is carried on his team's shoulders after his 325th victory, at Philadelphia's Veterans Stadium. Shula, who won the most games of any NFL coach and led the Miami Dolphins to the only perfect season in league history, died Monday, May 4, 2020, at his home in Indian Creek, Fla., the team said. He was 90. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta, File)

Sports

Perfection: The legacy of a Don Shula, a South Florida icon

By Noah Ram | May 4, 2020

It was a sad but strange feeling for me to hear the news of the passing of Miami Dolphins coaching legend Don Shula Monday morning at age 90.

FILE - This is a March 12, 2020, file photo showing Capital One Arena, home of the Washington Capitals NHL hockey club in Washington. Get used to the concept of pods and pucks if the NHL is going to have any chance of completing its season, with the most likely scenarios calling for games in empty, air-conditioned arenas during the dog days of summer. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)

Sports

Still on standby

By Brendan Farrell | May 4, 2020

I was at the O’Connell Center a little early on Feb. 26 for Florida’s men’s basketball team’s matchup against LSU. After wolfing down some press box food, I was feeling a little sentimental.

In a photo provided by ESPN Images, the first six selections in the NFL draft are displayed during ESPN's coverage of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2020, in Bristol, Conn. (Allen Kee/ESPN Images via AP)

Sports

The NFL Draft was great except for the part that wasn’t

By Kyle Wood | Apr. 29, 2020

I watched the NFL Draft this past weekend closer than I have ever before.

Sports

The best decision I never made

By Joseph Salvador | Apr. 19, 2020

Indecisiveness has plagued me for most of my life. And about four years ago, that lack of conviction set me on a path I never intended on walking.

Sports

Induct him: He isn’t Urban Liar anymore

By Ainslie Lee | Apr. 16, 2020

Anytime someone referenced Urban Meyer, I was quick to correct them.

Sports

Barnhill headlines new athlete-friendly softball league

By Payton Titus | Mar. 25, 2020

Imagine a sports league where players call the shots. No out-of-touch three- or four-letter organization telling athletes what they can and can’t do, where to go or how to play. No bureaucracy; just sports.

Official March Madness 2020 tournament basketballs are seen in a store room at the CHI Health Center Arena, in Omaha, Neb., Monday, March 16, 2020.

Sports

The college basketball world deserved Selection Sunday this year

By Declan Walsh | Mar. 23, 2020

If not for the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the nation, this past weekend likely would have featured the most surprising and balanced opening weekend in recent NCAA tournament history.

Madison Square Garden is shown after NCAA college basketball games in the men's Big East Conference tournament were cancelled due to concerns about the coronavirus, Thursday, March 12, 2020, in New York. The major conferences in college sports have all cancelled their basketball tournaments because of the new coronavirus, putting the celebrated NCAA Tournament in doubt. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Sports

We’ll be back

By Kyle Wood | Mar. 18, 2020

It’s not supposed to happen this way.

Sports

Despite inconsistencies, UF can still find success in postseason

By Evan Lepak | Mar. 9, 2020

I’m not going to sit here and sugarcoat it.

San Diego State forward Matt Mitchell (11) reacts after missing the final basket during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against UNLV, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

Sports

Parity is good for college basketball

By Zachary Huber | Feb. 23, 2020

The odds of completing a perfect March Madness bracket are one in 2.4 trillion. A person has a better chance of becoming the President of the United States or being crushed to death by a vending machine.

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, right, speaks with referee Kevin Cutler, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz in Portland, Ore., Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Steve Dykes)

Sports

It’s time to call a flagrant foul on officiating crews

By Christian Ortega | Feb. 12, 2020

Damian Lillard has never been one to shy away from the spotlight.