WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville
As word spread Monday afternoon leading up to the weekly press conference where Coach Jim McElwain announced that Florida red shirt freshman quarterback Will Grier faces a NCAA suspension, the social media sphere lit up with reaction.
Sources: Florida QB Will Grier tests positive for banned substance, suspended for season http://t.co/W7wbLiRc0F pic.twitter.com/sIVjCTM8h9
— Billy Corben (@BillyCorben) October 12, 2015
Grieving is a personal process that has no time limit, nor one “right” way to do it. WUFT News looked at the five stages of grief for Gator football fans:
DENIAL
Will Grier just thought he was taking his Flinstone vitamins @NCAA free my dude
— SEC EAST CHAMPS HOE (@ClutchLikeMJ) October 12, 2015
Please tell me Will Grier isn't suspended for steroids
I cannot believe that Grier is suspended for the rest of the season…
— Trey LaNasa (@TreytreyLaNasa) October 12, 2015
Grier hasn't even played well
ANGER
Will Grier suspended for steroids? Are you freaking kidding me………
— Casey Ponder (@CaseyPonder) October 12, 2015
When you find out Will Grier is suspended for the season. #ItsGreatUF #SportsMediaUF pic.twitter.com/hUjyHcjdRH
— Melanie (@melanie_aman) October 12, 2015
Will Grier… how could you do this to us @ClutchLikeMJ pic.twitter.com/uTcn5HcZr9
— The Joker (@Carsonknows) October 12, 2015
Florida players lookin at Will Grier like… pic.twitter.com/O50nlVfsAz
— DEiON SANDALS (@Big_Meech33) October 12, 2015
BARGAINING
Will Grier may be suspended, but allegedly @taylorswift13 is single again, so there's still hope in the world ❤️
— Nick Stampar (@NStampar) October 12, 2015
Hey FSU fans! Whats the attorney's name that gets all your players off the hook. We need him real quick. It's important. @AllKindsWeather
— Jared King (@JaredPKing) October 12, 2015
I'm just shocked Will Grier didn't rely on the weight gainer Florida students have relied on for years. pic.twitter.com/90kNSujxgy
— HALLRAISER (@edsbs) October 12, 2015
There was even a series of tweets incorporating the 1993 movie, Free Willy
Dear @ncaa, #FreeWilly!!! pic.twitter.com/31hgjTpCoh
— Gator Content from (@OurTwoBits) October 12, 2015
SPREAD THE WORD #freewilly pic.twitter.com/Pd2vf4CiWX
— Weston (@wildwildwesti) October 12, 2015
DEPRESSION
When grier gets suspended
You know I just feel like every time I get close to someone, they just throw it all away @willgrier_
— Connor McCarthy (@connormcarthyy) October 12, 2015
This is arguably the saddest day of my life #FreeWilly
— Evan (@TheEvanMurray) October 12, 2015
When Florida fan are asked if they are going to miss Will Grier pic.twitter.com/SPFTG193Cg
— Joey Johnson@EDCO (@SloppyJoe97) October 12, 2015
ACCEPTANCE
Grier is a fighter. He'll come back stronger than ever.
— Michael Rogner (@TN_Hoops) October 12, 2015
Very unfortunate set of circumstances for Grier and the Gators. Jim McElwain's as good with QB's as they come. Trust this.They aren't done!
— Tim Brando (@TimBrando) October 12, 2015
I give Florida credit for allowing Will Grier to speak to the media and Grier for being willing to do so. Haven't been that open in past.
— Michael DiRocco (@ESPNdirocco) October 12, 2015
That fact that Will Grier owned up to it shows he is an honest guy. A lot of people are scared of owning up to something but he did.
— mariana/ IKWYDLS (@mariana_elena) October 12, 2015
One fan even had a suggestion for a possible replacement in the Gator lineup:
Jim Jebow to replace Will Grier for the Gators upcoming game at LSU pic.twitter.com/N1fwh6rvYo
— Connor Bear Deneau (@Beardeneau) October 12, 2015
Lindsay Alexander, Paola Asencio, Gabrielle Beecher, Michaela Beeda, Andrew Briz, Shadille Estepan, Deshlee Ford, Taylor Gaines, Lauren Johnson and Robyn Smith contributed to this report.
