Sports | Columns - The Independent Florida Alligator

San Francisco 49ers quarterbacks Colin Kaepernick, left, and Blaine Gabbert stand on the sideline during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Green Bay Packers on Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, in Santa Clara, Calif. Green Bay won 21-10. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Take yourselves less seriously, sports teams

By IAN COHEN | Jan. 23, 2017

I usually hate these types of columns.

Former Houston Astros first baseman Jeff Bagwell speaks to reporters Wednesday Jan. 18, 2017, in Houston, after his election to baseball's Hall of Fame was announced. (Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle via AP)

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Baseball HOF should keep standards high but stay objective

By Patrick Pinak | Jan. 18, 2017

Picture the National Baseball Hall of Fame as the expensive flower vase that sits in your mom’s living room.

ESPN columnist, sports analyst and radio host Stephen A. Smith speaks to students at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts on Nov. 12, 2014.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Why sports journalism matters

By Ethan Bauer | Jan. 17, 2017

The Alligator sports department welcomed five new staffers this week. As sports editor, it was my job to hire them. And while I’m confident the folks we brought in will do well here, I noticed an unsettling trend in many of the applications.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) runs into Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) as Jones scores a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football NFC divisional playoff game, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: For the sake of everyone involved, make the NFL safer

By IAN COHEN | Jan. 16, 2017

On Sunday afternoons, the TV was on.

Clemson's Deshaun Watson holds up the championship trophy after the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Alabama Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017, in Tampa, Fla. Clemson won 35-31. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Does God, if He exists, care about football games?

By Ethan Bauer | Jan. 10, 2017

Following Clemson’s last-second victory over Alabama in Monday’s championship game, coach Dabo Swinney was overcome with emotion.

New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) scrambles away from Miami Dolphins defensive end Mario Williams (94) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: The Dolphins’ season was an ugly, shameful success

By Matt Brannon | Jan. 8, 2017

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly when Dolphins fans gave up hope on Sunday.

UF coach Jim McElwain smiles during a press conference after Florida's 30-3 win over Iowa in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 2, 2017, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Year two under McElwain wasn’t ideal, but successful nevertheless

By Ethan Bauer | Jan. 3, 2017

As Jim McElwain made his way off the field following Monday’s Outback Bowl victory, players snuck up behind the second-year head coach and bathed him in blue Gatorade.

UF coach Jim McElwain looks down in disapproval during Florida's 30-3 win over Iowa in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 2, 2017, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: UF is no better off than it was a year ago

By Patrick Pinak | Jan. 3, 2017

Austin Appleby was asked a simple question after his final game as a Florida Gator: Where do you see Jim McElwain taking this program?

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: On things, both sporting and silly

By Alejandro López | Dec. 6, 2016

I still remember that first phone call. It’d be hard not to, considering how much I didn’t want to field it.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Writer, editor leaves after three years

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Dec. 6, 2016

I still have the emails from my freshman year — three of them from former alligatorSports editor Phillip Heilman.

UF quarterback Austin Appleby gets sacked by Alabama defensive lineman Jonathan Allen during Alabama's 54-16 win over Florida in the 2016 Southeastern Conference Championship Game.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Enough is enough. It’s time to play a freshman quarterback

By Patrick Pinak | Dec. 3, 2016

ATLANTA — Burn the redshirt.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Picks Column: SEC Championship Game edition

Dec. 1, 2016

Site: Georgia Dome (Cap. 71,228)

Jim McElwain looks on during Florida's 29-15 loss to Alabama in the 2015 SEC Championship Game.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: McElwain can silence critics with win vs. Alabama

By Ethan Bauer | Dec. 1, 2016

Joey Ivie remembers the pain well.

Alabama coach Nick Saban applauds on the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Southern California on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: UF vs. ‘Bama: A real-life 'Space Jam'

By Patrick Pinak | Nov. 28, 2016

Twenty years ago, “Space Jam” made its rounds in theaters across the world.

Florida coach Jim McElwain, left, and FSU coach Jimbo Fisher meet at mid-field after the Seminoles defeated the Gators 31-13 in an NCAA college football game in Tallahassee, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Mark Wallheiser)

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: McElwain missed the mark in post-game press conference

By Ethan Bauer | Nov. 27, 2016

Jim McElwain took to the microphone following the football team’s loss to Florida State on Saturday looking like he’d just been told about a dead relative.