Derrick Gaffney passed

[stephenPE]

RIP Derrick Gaffney. Gaffney was a familiar name at the Orange Bowl and throughout the State of Florida. A graduate of William M. Raines High School in Jacksonville, Gaffney followed in the footsteps of his older brother Don Gaffney to the University of Florida, who was the first black quarterback in Gator football history.
Derrick Gaffney along with Wes Chandler made up a speedy pair of athletic receivers that played in a run-oriented wishbone offense. During his senior year in 1977, Gaffney set an unbreakable record when he caught a 99 yard touchdown pass from freshman quarterback Cris Collinsworth during a 48-3 victory over Rice. Collinsworth would later convert to receiver.

Lito Shephard was a nephew. I think Jabbar G was too.

 

[soflagator]

Legend and definite UF royalty. Ver sad news.

 

[Gatordiddy]

Lito Shephard was a nephew. I think Jabbar G was too.

That is sad…


Check out some of these names.

 

[B52G8rAC]

Too young. Vaya con Dios Gator. RIP.

 

[stephenPE]

I had classes with Bo Smith and Lewis Gilbert. A PE basketball class with Smith. He kept wanting to play me one on one. And kept losing. Coach Mac (the instructor) had us play each other one on one,

 

[TLB]

Good guy, gonna miss him.

 

[stephenPE]

I remember when Collinsworth came in hyped up and thought that 99yard TD pass to Gaffney would be just the beginning. Who knew he would become the great WR he did.....That roster had blazing speed back then. Never had a pick six because they easily ran down the guy that got the INT.

 

[gator1946]

I was at the Rice game, and saw the pass from Collinsworth to Gaffney. I think another board member was there too. I still think of Gaffney as a young guy. I'm sorry that he passed. Man that makes me feel old...older than I am.

 

[B52G8rAC]

I was at the Rice game, and saw the pass from Collinsworth to Gaffney. I think another board member was there too. I still think of Gaffney as a young guy. I'm sorry that he passed. Man that makes me feel old...older than I am.

How old was he? I saw an article saying 89 and I know that can't be correct. He is at least 4 years younger than me or around 70. Maybe 69 and a typo for the 89.

 

[I Have No Friends :(]

RIP to a Gator legend.

 

[Concrete Helmet]

RIP....

Ironically Gaffney and Chandler played in a wishbone offense nearly 50 years ago and put up about the same numbers as our starting WR's do today under Karl's offense...

 

[Spurdog98]

It's always sad to see someone that has done it the right way go so early. RIP Mr Gaffney.

 

[Okeechobee Joe]

I had classes with Bo Smith and Lewis Gilbert. A PE basketball class with Smith. He kept wanting to play me one on one. And kept losing. Coach Mac (the instructor) had us play each other one on one,

Coach Jim McCachren, the legend. That Coach Mac?

 

[stephenPE]

Coach Jim McCachren, the legend. That Coach Mac?

That's the guy. Half of the great racquetball team of Mac and PA Lee. They actually had a plaque for them on those 3 wall courts that were all torn down for parking just north of the swamp.

 

[gator1946]

How old was he? I saw an article saying 89 and I know that can't be correct. He is at least 4 years younger than me or around 70. Maybe 69 and a typo for the 89.

It was 1977. I was 29 then. he was probably 20ish So he was maybe 68 to 70ish. Or I could look it up :)

 

[MJMGator]

It was 1977. I was 29 then. he was probably 20ish So he was maybe 68 to 70ish. Or I could look it up :)

Yeah, I was at that game with my dad. Don’t think he had taken the plunge and bought season tickets yet at that point in time but we went to several games a year. I was 10 but I remember the play pretty well.

 

[78]

He was my age. I ain't no 89 years old. Yet.

 

[MJMGator]

He was my age. I ain't no 89 years old. Yet.

 

[78]

I'm a bit older looking. Think Hackman.

 

[GatorInGeorgia]

Lito Shephard was a nephew. I think Jabbar G was too.

Jabbar is his son. RIP to Derrick, and prayers to the family.