The college football world is buzzing with the news that Netflix will be releasing a documentary called Swamp Kings in August. The documentary is about Urban Meyer’s time as head coach of the Florida Gators from 2005-2010.
Meyer’s teams at the time he was there had Tim Tebow, Mike and Maurkice Pouncey, and, of course, tight end Aaron Hernandez. Hernandez would later be convicted of murder while he was a member of the New England Patriots.
Since Hernandez’s death, many have wondered what was going on behind the scenes of this football team and how much Meyer knew about it.
While Tebow seemed like the choir boy on the team, his Gator teammates were far from it. Not only were there off-field issues with Hernandez, but also the Pouncey brothers, and, for a short amount of time, Cam Newton, who would later lead Auburn to a national championship.
At some point, with the exception of Tebow, all had issues either while they were on the team or after they graduated. One of the biggest questions that people want to know is what did Urban Meyer know or didn’t know?
Fans across the college football landscape have been anticipating this type of documentary, which will be part of Netflix’s Untold series, for a while. And there had been discussion that this was coming, including around Paul Finebaum seemingly revealing it last year. But now there’s a release date, August 23.
OH SHIT 👀
A Netflix documentary titled "Swamp Kings" will be released on August 23rd.
The documentary is an inside look at the Florida Gators Football team coached by Urban Meyer from 2006-2009.
This is going to be INSANE 🔥pic.twitter.com/cAeuvwddVR
— Bussin' With The Boys (@BussinWTB) June 3, 2023
While some fans are excited, others not so much.
More like true crime series straight outta the swamp. I can’t even believe @netflix would call these guys KINGS let alone give Urban attention he certainly doesn’t deserve. Disgusting. https://t.co/TbMPG8THBE
— Courtney Leigh (@CourtneyCSmith3) June 4, 2023
Need to be a First 48 / Dateline special
— HE15MAN BECK 😤 (@TalkNicetoMi) June 3, 2023
The angle that most fans seem to be looking for is the rumors of violent crimes and corruption that took place on the 2006-2009 Gators’ teams, who won two national championships under Meyer. Meyer has also had his own issues since leaving Gainesville, and that more than likely will be covered too.
Since Meyer’s departure, however, the Florida program hasn’t reached the same level of on-field success. So this may be an interesting look back at some of its highs and lows. Swamp Kings is scheduled to be released on August 23rd on Netflix.
About Stacey Mickles
Stacey is a 1995 graduate of the University of Alabama who has previously worked for other publications such as Sportskeeda and Saturday Down South.