Person familiar with situation says Florida QB Tebow, others fly separately due to illness

AP Source: UF’s Tebow, others fly separately to Ky

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Florida quarterback Tim Tebow looked ready to play on Saturday before the top-ranked Gators took on Kentucky, one day after the Heisman Trophy winner and several teammates flew to Kentucky on a separate plane because of respiratory and congestive issues.

Tebow, cornerback Joe Haden, safety Major Wright and others were isolated on a separate plane Friday according to a person familiar with Florida’s travel plans. They rejoined the top-ranked Gators at the hotel, but it was unclear whether they would play Saturday night against Kentucky. The person, who requested anonymity, was not authorized to discuss players’ health.

Tebow arrived at Commonwealth Stadium with the rest of the top-ranked Gators about two hours before kickoff against the Wildcats. The Heisman Trophy winner was one of the last players off the bus. Wearing a shiny gray suit, his cheeks appearing a little flushed in the muggy conditions, Tebow received a hug from coach Urban Meyer before ducking in to the visitors locker room.

He took the field about an hour brefore kickoff, jogging in uniform alongside backup quarterback John Brantley before starting his typical warmup regimen.

Florida has been battling illnesses for the last three weeks, and Meyer estimated that more than 35 players have been sick during that stretch.

Running back Jeff Demps, defensive end Jermaine Cunningham, linebacker A.J. Jones and tight end Aaron Hernandez — all starters — were among the players isolated in the last 10 days because of flulike symptoms.

Haden and Wright missed practice Thursday, but Meyer said he expected both to play against the Wildcats. The person familiar with Florida’s travel plans said the health of all three has improved since arriving in Lexington.

The person said everyone on the team’s expected travel roster made the trip, including receivers coach Billy Gonzales. He was sent home early in the week, but he returned and wore gloves and a mask at practice.

Meyer said earlier in the week there was no chance he would rest sick players.

“That’d be one of the major errors in coaching history to go do that, because you’d go lose,” he said. “No. Absolutely not. We’re going to bring everything and go as hard as we can. That gets you out of the profession, those kind of thoughts. You go as hard as you can.

“The good thing is I’ve got a mature group. Not a whole lot of cheerleading going on this week. Got to get better and go play.”

The Gators beat Tennessee 23-13 last Saturday, a disappointing victory for the heavily favored Gators. Meyer partially blamed the conservative game plan on the illnesses. Volunteers coach Lane Kiffin indicated that Meyer was using the illnesses as an excuse to justify a less-than-dominating performance.

AP Sports Writer Mark Long in Gainesville, Fla., contributed to this report.