A Cultivated View is where I look beyond the surface of the headlines to explore the people, decisions and circumstances shaping sports, politics, public health, culture and leadership. Through original reporting, profiles and commentary, I’ll dig beneath the surface, add context that may be missing and offer broader perspectives worth considering. I hope you’ll join me on this new journey as I examine the stories shaping our world from different angles and share the perspectives I’ve cultivated along the way.

In 1996, I was volunteering at the Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta when I met theeeee Walter Payton. I was a huge fan, and as you can see from my face, I was in heaven. 🥹 Last month, 30 years later, I went looking for his statue at Soldier Fiel
Maybe the camera caught Florida AD Scott Stricklin at an awkward moment but I can think of one Athletic Director who was probably NOT smiling at 38–19 like the rest of UF alumni. The receipts are starting to arrive on Fernando Lovo flovom ! I
STRIKE FORCE. 🐊 @gatorsfb Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Line Coach @gchatman deserves a special shout-out. Your fingerprints were all over that defensive performance, sir! Your DL faced a 24-year-old grown-ass man, sixth-year QB Heisman conte
COACHING MATTERS. If I had a game ball after yesterday’s Gator win, it would go to Coach Phil Trautwein. He inherited an offensive-line room that had heard every criticism. He proceeded to combine returning Gators with transfers, developed th