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Capel wants to return

By GREG AUMAN

© St. Petersburg Times, published October 6, 2000

Former Florida receiver John Capel, who said after finishing last in the 200-meter final at the Olympics last week that he would not play football until he had won every 200 race until the next Olympics, has softened on that stance.

[Times photo: Michael Rondou] John Capel, seen after his disappointing finish in the 200 Olympic final, said he still wants to don a UF jersey.

Capel, who returned home from Sydney late Monday and is staying in Gainesville, said he was upset about losing the race when he made that comment and plans to re-enroll at UF in January so he can walk on to the football team next fall.

"I love football to death," said Capel, who won three Olympic preliminary heats before finishing last in a controversial final that he thought should have been called back beause he false started. "I could be back next fall. If coach (Steve) Spurrier would let me, I'd be back next week."

Capel, who played sparingly at receiver in two seasons with the Gators, said he might attend Saturday's game against Louisiana State and watch from the sideline. He said his eligibility was not jeopardized by a five-year running endorsement deal he signed with adidas.

"The weight's there, the speed's there. I need to get back to my classes, get my grades and walk on," said Capel, who withdrew from UF in February to focus on the Olympics. "I didn't leave the university on bad standing."

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