This is one of the greatest accomplishments a Gator athlete could have.
After all, getting a degree is the most important goal for each of them/us.
That Carlos understands this makes his work at UF more important. Notice he's getting his BS and an MBA from Miami.
I'm proud of him/proud to be a Gator.
Oliver Barry, CRS, GRI
Real Estate Broker
PARKS
305B Indian Lake Blvd
Suite 220
Hendersonville TN 37075
Phone: 615-826-4040
Mobile: 615-972-4239
From: gatornews@googlegroups.com [mailto:gatornews@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Shane Ford
Sent: Tuesday, May 03, 2016 7:16 AM
To: GatorNews
Subject: [gatornews] [SUN]: Dunlap used NFL stage to celebrate UF graduation
Dunlap used NFL stage to celebrate UF graduation
Former Walter Payton Men of the Year Carlos Dunlap announces that the Cincinnati Bengals selected Utah State's Nick Vigil as the 87th pick in the third round of the NFL draft last Friday in Chicago. Dunlap missed his graduation from Florida to take part in the draft, so he wore a cap and gown
AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast
By Robbie Andreu
Gainesville SUN Staff writer
Published: Monday, May 2, 2016 at 4:55 p.m.
Last Modified: Monday, May 2, 2016 at 4:55 p.m.
Former Florida defensive end Carlos Dunlap came up with a unique and certainly memorable way to celebrate earning his college degree. He did it with a Gator chomp, a "Go Gators" cheer and a flip of the cap — on live national television.
The Cincinnati Bengals' standout defensive end, who has been attending classes at UF in the offseason the past several years, finished his bachelor's degree in family, youth and community sciences last week and originally planned to attend his graduation ceremony last Friday night in The Swamp.
But that plan was altered when Dunlap was asked by the Bengals and the NFL to attend the draft in Chicago to announce Cincinnati's third-round selection as the team winner of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. He accepted, and because he could not be at graduation, he brought it with him, in a sense.
He strode onto the stage in a Florida cap and gown to reveal Cincinnati's third-round pick. Before announcing Utah State linebacker Nick Vigil's name, Dunlap did a Gator chomp, let out "Go Gators" cheer and then tossed his cap into the air.
"It was awesome what they had Carlos do," Bengals defensive coordinator Paul Guenther said. "I want to congratulate him on graduating. It was a great thing to see."
Dunlap's mother, Diane Ross, is an elementary school principal in South Carolina and education is a huge deal (and a priority) in the Dunlap family. When Dunlap and his family made the decision that he would leave UF after his junior season (2009) to enter the NFL draft, he vowed to his mother he would return to Gainesville to earn his college degree.
"I promised her I would come back," Dunlap told the school's website (floridagators.com) last week. "That was part of the negotiations."
Dunlap has done one better than just one college degree. On Thursday, he will have another when he graduates from the University of Miami with a master's degree in business.
There has been no rest for Dunlap in the offseason.
"It's not the regular offseason that most of my peers are having," he told floridagators.com. "I've been going to school."
A five-star prospect coming out of high school, Dunlap quickly developed into an elite defensive player for the Gators, earning All-SEC honors his sophomore and junior seasons and helping UF win the national championship in 2008.
The second-round draft pick has become an elite player with the Bengals as well. In six seasons, he's recorded 49 sacks and 12 forced fumbles.
He's also obviously has been succeeding in the classroom, where he's earned his college degree, with another on the way in just a few days.
The Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award recognizes a player for his excellence on and off the field and his commitment to philanthropy and community impact.
Contact Robbie Andreu at 352-374-5022 or robbie.andreu@gvillesun.com. Also check out Andreu's blog at Gatorsports.com.
Sent From Shane's iPhone
Go Gators! & Skål Vikes!
ALPCA #8756
Europlate #1045
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GATORS: ONE VOICE ON SATURDAY - NO VOICE ON SUNDAY!
1996 National Football Champions | 2006 National Basketball Champions 2006 National Football Champions | 2007 National Basketball Champions 2008 National Football Champions |
Three Heisman Trophy winners: Steve Spurrier (1966), Danny Wuerffel (1996), Tim Tebow (2007)
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