Oliver Barry CRS, GRI
So I have watched the video at least a dozen times. While I get that Walton is trying to be the bigger man and apologize, I don't really think he has much of anything to apologize for. It clearly wasn't intentional. Should he have been paying attention? yes. But I dont think he meant for that to happen and she clearly let her emotions get in the way here and (IMO) overreacted.--On Wed, Mar 29, 2017 at 10:03 AM, Shane Ford <goufgators01@gmail.com> wrote:--Walton apologizes for lightly shoving Auburn player
This image from an ESPN video shows Florida softball coach Tim Walton contacting Auburn player Haley Fagan's shoulder following a game Monday.
Published: Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at 1:26 p.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at 1:26 p.m.
The bad blood between Florida coach Tim Walton and the Fagan family spilled over onto the softball field, the nation spotlight and social media Monday night and Tuesday morning.
After Auburn's 1-0 win to avoid a sweep Monday night, the two teams lined up to slap hands, as is tradition.
The SEC Network carried the game past the end of the game and caught something that went viral.
When Auburn senior shortstop Haley Fagan — a former Dunnellon High School standout — got to Florida coach Tim Walton in line, she put her hand down, refusing his high-five. Walton appeared to be focused ahead and brushed Fagan's shoulder.
She responded by turning around and pushing Walton in the back with her right hand saying, "You hit me."
Walton said, "I didn't hit you."
Fagan was pushed away by teammates and began yelling at someone on the video. Later, as the team met by the Auburn dugout, the shortstop could be seen in tears.
"I apologize to Haley," Walton said in a statement released through UF. "I just wanted to congratulate Auburn on the win - it was a good series. My intention was to give a high-five to each opposing player as we do after every game.
"Apparently her hand wasn't up as I said, 'Good game' and I touched her shoulder. I should have paid closer attention and did not intend to upset her. I regret that this has taken attention away from the effort and sportsmanship both teams displayed all weekend."
The video was all over Twitter by the morning and national news shows, including ESPN's SportsCenter, showed it.
Walton dismissed two of Fagan's sisters — Kasey and Sami along with Cheyenne Coyle — from the Florida team in 2012 on the eve of the NCAA Gainesville Regional because of an incident in the locker room. Kasey is a graduate assistant with the Auburn softball team.
Kevin Fagan, Haley's father and the softball coach at the College of Central Florida in Ocala, was in the stands Monday night.
"Hopefully we can move on," Fagan said Tuesday. "It was a shame that it happened and unfortunate."
Fagan said that out of respect to her sisters and what they went through in 2012, Haley has chosen "not to be hypocritical" by high-fiving the Florida coach.
"She has been consistent (in previous games vs. UF) with this, so it shouldn't have come as a surprise to Tim," he said. "Haley is respectful to the players of the other team. It is not in Haley's nature to be hypocritical."
Sent From Shane's iPhoneGo Gators! & Skål Vikes!ALPCA #8756Europlate #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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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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