DBU's first

stephenPE

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GReat article about Steve Tannen in the Sun today

In three years on the varsity (1967-69), Tannen had 11 career interceptions, was an All-SEC first-team selection in 1968, and in 1969 earned first-team All-American honors.

The former All-American was at the bar at Ironwood Golf Course, spinning stories.

Nearing 70, former Florida standout Steve Tannen can weave stories ranging from blocking a punt in the Gator Bowl to hanging out with Joe Namath to being on the set of the “A-Team” with George Peppard and Mr. T.

Tannen, who returned to Gainesville to retire in 2012, is still living a colorful life, back where he starred as a defensive back at Florida under Ray Graves from 1967-69. Before there was Vernon Hargreaves, before Quincy Wilson and Joe Haden and even Lito Sheppard, there was Tannen, one of the first great defensive backs in Florida history.

http://www.gainesville.com/news/20180709/catching-up-with-former-uf-standout-steve-tannen

Old school football player. Hung with Namath while playing there.
 

deuce

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I remember him...... of course I was just a baby then...
 

stephenPE

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Tannen was great but DBU's first was Walter Mayberry.
Damn INsta you are old school. He was 2nd in rushing yards in 37 behind Whizzer White and intercepted 6 passes when the opponents ONLY threw about 57. Well I guess Dale Van Sickel

was our first stud in the def backfield.
Dale_Van_Sickel.png
Became a famous Hollywood stuntman too
 

InstiGATOR1

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Damn INsta you are old school. He was 2nd in rushing yards in 37 behind Whizzer White and intercepted 6 passes when the opponents ONLY threw about 57. Well I guess Dale Van Sickel

was our first stud in the def backfield.
Dale_Van_Sickel.png
Became a famous Hollywood stuntman too

Sometime during the Spurrier years, I was looking at the media guide and noticed his name in both offensive and defensive categories. If it was about the year 2000 that was 62 years after he last played. He has fallen off the offensive lists but is still barely hanging on in career and season picks but he is still there 80 years after he last played. I wonder how many guys who have played recently will still be in the books that many years from now?

I had heard of various old time Gators like Rick Casares, Chuck Hunsinger, your suggestion of Van Sickle, even General Van Fleet etc., but never Walter Mayberry. So I looked up what I could about him and was surprised that he died in a Japanese prisoner of war camp and I had never really heard of him that I remembered.
 
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stephenPE

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What a life he has enjoyed, actor, teaching math and carpentry, UF football, NFL football, artists, etc. It is great to see someone do things along with football.
I think he did a play at the Hippodrome in Gville in the 80 or early 90s
 

Swamp Donkey

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He looks slow and unathletic.
 

InstiGATOR1

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I know fast white guys.

Of course, it wouldn't be a joke if it were factually true all the time. It is a joke because it is not always true and so we knew SD was being sarcastic.
 

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