Players know season is here
CORAL GABLES — For the past four weeks, the Hurricanes have caught passes, made tackles, and fielded kickoffs and punts on the Greentree Practice Field.
They did something different there on Saturday afternoon.
Instead of taking to the field wearing helmets and pads, Miami’s players donned new special event jerseys, signed autographs, posed for pictures and mingled with fans at the school’s annual CanesFest event.
And as all that happened, a new season drew closer.
“It’s real. When CanesFest comes, you know that’s when the season comes,” linebacker Raphael Kirby said. “This time next week, we’ll be getting ready to play in a game. It’s great that all the fans got to come out, and we could come out here, sign autographs and show our appreciation.”
Added quarterback Brad Kaaya, “This team’s always had a sense of urgency ever since camp started. Of course, this is always a week before the season, so of course, we all kind of realize it’s game week now. Bethune-Cookman week’s started.”
School officials estimated that more than 1,500 fans turned out for the free, twohour event, waiting in line for the chance to meet not just members of the football team, but athletes and coaches from all of Miami’s athletic programs. There were games for children, photo opportunities with players, coaches and both of the school’s mascots, as well as a chance for fans to get an up-close look at the new Adidas uniforms the Hurricanes will be wearing this fall.
“We have all the teams out here, we give the fans a chance to come and see our house,” Miami athletic director Blake James said. “Obviously, as has been the tradition for years, the football schedule poster signing and all that is something that I know is important to our fan base. When you combine the fact we’ve been able to incorporate all the teams, we’ve been able to have our fans see our house and at the same time respect the tradition of poster signings, everyone loves autographs and we have a bunch of stars in our football program. It’s a great way to kick off the year.”
The Hurricanes learned this weekend who three of their team captains will be this season. Miami coach Al Golden shared on social media that Kaaya, Kirby, and safety Dallas Crawford will all be captains this season, with the Hurricanes naming a fourth captain weekly.
“I was honored. I’m really honored to be a captain for the University of Miami,” said Kirby, a senior. “My appreciation goes out to everybody that voted for me. It was a great honor when I found out Friday. Now, it’s time to go to work.”
Much has been made of Miami’s loss of offensive playmakers like running back Duke Johnson, receiver Phillip Dorsett and tight end Clive Walford, but Kaaya on Saturday said — again — he’s confident he and the Hurricanes’ returning players will find ways to be productive as the new season begins.
“We have a lot of guys right now,” Kaaya said. “And I’m more mature and stronger. … There’s always pressure when you’re the quarterback. I always feel pressure. You just have to put that out of your mind, not think about it … play football. That’s why I came here.”