Florida Gators fans troll Dan Mullen over Anthony Richardson tweet
If you thought Dan Mullen’s replies were bad during Dameon Pierce’s rookie season, wait until Anthony Richardson starts balling in the NFL. It seems some Florida fans never miss an opportunity to troll their former coach on Twitter.
Two of Gator Nation’s biggest gripes with Mullen were his decision to start Emory Jones over Richardson and Pierce’s lack of carries (7.7 average) per game. After a huge preseason debut by Pierce last year, Mullen was trolled on social media and again each time the rookie had a great outing with the Houston Texans.
Mullen, now an ESPN analyst following his firing at UF in 2021, took to Twitter on Thursday night to congratulate Richardson when he was selected fourth overall by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2023 NFL Draft. His tweet received more than 60 quote tweets and 40 replies.
Before getting into the comments, here’s what Mullen had to say earlier in this month about not playing Richardson more in 2021. He told ESPN injuries during that season played a role. Richardson failed to appear in five games, although he was available at Missouri and did not play.
Mullen was fired following the 24-23 overtime loss in Columbia, and then Richardson led the Gators to a 24-21 win over rival Florida State in the regular season finale. He played against FSU with a torn meniscus and missed the bowl game after undergoing knee surgery.
“Every time we tried to start him he got hurt, and I think that slowed down some of the development he would have had,” Mullen told ESPN.
Here’s a look at how things played out on Twitter Thursday night.
It started with Mullen’s tweet to Richardson.
Some tried to warn Mullen what was coming.
Most of the trolls were Emory Jones tweets. Here are some highlights.
After healing from a hamstring injury in 2021, Richardson played sparingly for weeks before his breakout game vs. LSU and did not play at Missouri.
Others voiced their frustration over both Pierce and Richardson.
And of course, the recruitniks never forget.
The authorities even got involved.
Not all of the replies were trolls by Florida fans.
One Twitter user suggested it was Mullen who got the last laugh.
![Florida Gators wide receiver Eugene Wilson III (3) hauls in a pass while taking balls from a throwing machine during University of Florida Gators’ Spring football practice at Sanders Practice Fields in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, March 28, 2024. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]](https://on3static.com/cdn-cgi/image/height=215,width=393,quality=90,fit=cover,gravity=0.5x0.5/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/08/01212103/Untitled-design-80.png)
![Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier walks during the first half at the Orange and Blue spring football game at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, April 13, 2024. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]](https://on3static.com/cdn-cgi/image/height=215,width=393,quality=90,fit=cover,gravity=0.5x0.5/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/04/18141240/Untitled-design-72-2.png)
