Gator defender dead

**lawgator1** · 07-05-2007, 01:09 PM

This guy had a ton of problems. Avery Atkins. I post this here only because I imagine some will want to draw a relationship to UM's perceived laxness in dicsipline. I think the guy was kicked of the team at some point, though. I'll check.

Ex-Gator, Mainland High grad Avery Atkins found dead in his car -- OrlandoSentinel.com

**lawgator1** · 07-05-2007, 01:11 PM

He was: Orange and Blue Hue » The Sad Saga of Avery Atkins

**GAVol** · 07-05-2007, 01:19 PM

It's always sad when kids aren't willing to take advantage of the opportunity that their ability affords them. Obviously this is an extreme case.

SWIL · 07-05-2007, 01:44 PM

Never a good thing when stuff like this happens. Sorry LG.

7IlikeOrange7 · 07-05-2007, 01:44 PM

horrible to hear. He couldve been a great player. sorry to hear this!

TennesseeFan07 · 07-05-2007, 01:49 PM

sad to hear this

**lawgator1** · 07-05-2007, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWIL

Never a good thing when stuff like this happens. Sorry LG.

He managed to get himself kicked off the team and Meyer was evidently not interested in giving him a chance to get back on. I see in the one report that he had tried to be released so he could go somewhere else to play and UF evidently gave him that. But with his issues, looks like he wasn't likely to get picked up anywhere.

jcolli30 · 07-05-2007, 01:54 PM

Such a shame. So much talent and not enough self-discipline to use it. It's not like they can look to their idols because most of them are doing the same thing: Pacman Jones, Tank Johnson. It sucks, the direction the NFL, NBA, ect. has taken.

**lawgator1** · 07-05-2007, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcolli30

Such a shame. So much talent and not enough self-discipline to use it. It's not like they can look to their idols because most of them are doing the same thing: Pacman Jones, Tank Johnson. It sucks, the direction the NFL, NBA, ect. has taken.

What is really unnerving about it is that it seems like this sort of outcome is both predictable and more and more commonplace.

**lawgator1** · 07-05-2007, 02:08 PM

Initial reports indicate suicide.

vol4eva · 07-05-2007, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lawgator1

Initial reports indicate suicide.

It sounds like he was going through a really rough time in his life.

**lawgator1** · 07-05-2007, 02:12 PM

Who knows what all he got himself into. Central Florida is rapidly losing its identity as "that Disney place."

ut 4 me · 07-05-2007, 03:34 PM

terrible thing

**kiddiedoc** · 07-05-2007, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lawgator1

Who knows what all he got himself into. Central Florida is rapidly losing its identity as "that Disney place."

Losing??? Anybody that has lived there or anywhere in the vicinity knows that "that Disney place" is confined to a couple of exits off the interstate. Orlando, Tampa (and include Jacksonville) all have some pretty rough areas. Obviously, Miami is in a league by itself.

Terrible news; prayers to family and friends.

**lawgator1** · 07-05-2007, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiddiedoc

Losing??? Anybody that has lived there or anywhere in the vicinity knows that "that Disney place" is confined to a couple of exits off the interstate. Orlando, Tampa (and include Jacksonville) all have some pretty rough areas. Obviously, Miami is in a league by itself.

Terrible news; prayers to family and friends.

We are doing our darndest up here to catch up to that insanity. Murder rate is through the roof. Drugs and gangs are a major problem. Tourist officials are big time worried.