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Florida Football: 5 most hated Miami players since 2000

By Briley Hughes

GAINESVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 06: Running back Derron Thomas #21 of the Miami Hurricanes has his helmet knocked off his head as he is brought down by a gang tackle while taking on the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 6, 2008 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 06: Running back Derron Thomas #21 of the Miami Hurricanes has his helmet knocked off his head as he is brought down by a gang tackle while taking on the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 6, 2008 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) /
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2 Jan 2001: Head coach Steve Spurrier of the Florida Gators watches as his team is dismantled by the Miami Hurricanes during the Nokia Sugar Bowl at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Stockman/ALLSPORT
2 Jan 2001: Head coach Steve Spurrier of the Florida Gators watches as his team is dismantled by the Miami Hurricanes during the Nokia Sugar Bowl at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Stockman/ALLSPORT /

4. Al Blades

In many ways, Al Blades represented everything that irked Gator fans about Miami – he was brash, he was cocky and he was really, really good. He also came from a long line of Hurricane players as his older brothers, Brian and Bennie, played at Miami.

Blades, a safety for the Canes from 1998-2000, was a First-Team All-Big East his final season. His final season was also the only opportunity he had to face off against the Florida Gators – an opportunity he used to his full advantage.

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What Gator fans probably remember most about Blades is the fight he apparently initiated between the two teams. Except this fight didn’t happen on the field; instead, it happened right in the middle of Bourbon Street in New Orleans before the 2001 Sugar Bowl.

Though facts about the fight are hard to come by, stories surrounding the incident circle around Blades and his taunting of Gator players. Ultimately, around 40 players were involved and several players – including Florida’s star defensive end Alex Brown – sustained minor injuries.

The fight contributed to reigniting the previously dormant rivalry and added to the perception that Florida was scared to play Miami. Of course, Florida’s loss in the Sugar Bowl to the team that Blades helped anchor didn’t change that narrative either.

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