Donnie Young

Offensive lineman

It was worth it.

Even when his shoulder barks at him or his knee gives way, it was worth it for Young.

The heart and soul of Florida’s 1996 offensive line still has the aches and pains to remind him of all of the injuries and surgeries he had while anchoring the Gators at right guard.

“My friendships and the memories I have with those guys, those are the riches,” he said. “I knew the risks going in.”

Young has had 11 surgeries on a variety of ailments both during his UF career and since it ended.

“Knees, ankles, shoulders,” he said. “I just grin and bear it. I won’t take drugs. I’ve seen too many guys get hooked. I just try to stay busy.”

Young lives on a ranch in Alachua with his wife and two girls. He has investments in commercial properties and is a sales representative for Suburban Propane.

And he’ll always have those memories, even if some are painful.

“I hated to leave my teammates hanging,” he said. “Whether I could walk or not I was going to be on that field.”