Paul Finebaum, Desmond Howard Slam Billy Napier After Going After Florida's Fanbase

Paul Finebaum and Desmond Howard appeared on ESPN's 'Get Up' Monday morning and responded to Billy Napier's comments directed toward Florida fans after the disappointing season-opening loss to Miami.

The 41-17 loss was a disaster for the Gators, but Napier only made things worse on Sunday when referencing fans in their "basements" in "rural Central Florida."

On Monday, Finebaum and Howard laid into Napier. Per On3:

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Paul Finebaum: “The reaction is simply egregious,” Finebaum said on Get Up. “I mean, here’s a guy who’s really down to his last breath. He’s lost more games in two seasons and one game in the Swamp than Steve Spurrier lost in 12 years. And he is going after his own fan base? Those folks who go to Walmart and buy Gator jerseys and beg and plead for tickets to his games. I mean, that is one of the most inexcusable shots I have ever seen.

“I don’t live in Florida, but I was there over the weekend at that game. They don’t have basements in Florida. It’s too close to the water. So Billy, know your geography, my friend.”

Desmond Howard: “Well, first of all, (I’m) very angry at Paul Finebaum because he stole my thunder,” Howard said. “I actually live in Florida, and you’re right, we do not have basements … Coach Napier came into this season under a tremendous amount of pressure. You know, he was only picked, I believe to win less than five games. They have the toughest schedule in all of college football. And on top of that, now you’re playing your in-state rival, the Miami Hurricanes, these two teams hate each other.

And then your team goes out and they lay an egg, the way that they did with all the pressure and the tension that’s been building for Coach Napier. So I understand the situation, but you guys are 100% right. You never can attack or go after your fan base. That’s never a good look for any coach.”

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