UF Heisman winners may have statues at stadium

Florida Gator fans could soon see life-size statues of the school's Heisman Trophy winners at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, The Sun has learned.

The University Athletic Association has commissioned Tallahassee-based sculptor Sandy Proctor to work with Tim Tebow, Steve Spurrier and Danny Wuerffel. The UAA has also commissioned an architect to look at the best possible place for the three bronze statues.

Once the renderings of the statues are completed by Proctor and the architect delivers his report, the UAA will then decide whether it's workable. If it is, the UAA will ask the university for approval and seek funding for the project.

"It's not a go yet. We still have to jump through some hoops," UAA associate athletic director Chip Howard said. "It may or may not work. Until we get the report back from the architect, we won't know how much it will cost. It's just a way to honor those former student-athletes."

Proctor, who designed the trophy given out in Wuerffel's name, spent two hours with the former UF quarterback in Atlanta where Wuerffel operates Desire Street Ministries. He made a mold of Wuerffel's face and also his hands.

Spurrier is up next. He will be in Gainesville on Tuesday for his sitting. Tebow's sitting has not been scheduled.

Spurrier won the Heisman in 1966. Wuerffel followed 30 years later and Tebow won the award in 2007. Two of the three (Spurrier and Weurffel) have already been enshrined in Florida's Ring of Honor at the stadium and all three have their Heisman years displayed above the south wall.

Contact Pat Dooley at 352-374-5053 or at dooleyp@gvillesun.com.