Every football star bags groceries after a big win, right?
On Saturday, Florida fifth-year senior Mike McNeely ran 21 yards for a touchdown on a fake-kick play during the Gators’ 38-20 upset of the rival Georgia Bulldogs. On Sunday, McNeely was at his job as a cashier at Publix supermarket, as scheduled.
“I bag and cashier,” McNeely said after the game, via ESPN. “Sometimes, I call myself a ‘bashier.’ I only work on Sundays. Publix is really flexible with me. I’ve worked with the company since ’08.”
While McNeely was going about his business as usual, fans flocked to Publix to get autographs, hugs and photos.
[tweet https://twitter.com/JeffBarlisESPN/status/529036541533093888 align=’center’]
The play that led to McNeely’s sudden fame had been drawn up in practice and was flawlessly executed in the game.
“It was a great call,” McNeely said. “It was drawn up perfectly. The guys blocked. I know Tevin (Westbrook) had a great climb and Clay (Burton) kicked out. Frankie (Velez) faking helped. All the linemen blocking, it was perfect. Hump (D.J. Humphries) said he had a knock-down. All I had to do was run.”
The play tied the game at 7 and swung the momentum in the Gators’ favor. It also made No. 9 on ESPN’s “SportCenter” top 10 plays.
In less than 24 hours, McNeely went from being a football hero to a guy making $10 an hour at a grocery store, while smiling the entire time. McNeely said he’ll continue to work at Publix until he starts medical school at Florida in the fall.
GIF via SB Nation
