Patchan, former AHS teammate shot; both doing okay

Former Armwood All-American lineman Matt Patchan, who now plays for the Florida Gators, and high school teammate Wesley Skiffington were both shot Friday night at Sadie Park in Brandon, Armwood coach Sean Callahan confirmed Monday.

Callahan said each player is doing "fine." Patchan was shot in the back/shoulder; Skiffington, a senior kicker who signed with Stony Brook, was shot in his kicking foot.

Florida coach Urban Meyer confirmed in a statement that Patchan was shot and is doing okay.

"I don't know what he was doing there or why they were there," Callahan said. "I don't know all the details. I just know he went to the Brandon hospital. They left (the bullet) in. It's not serious. It's in the soft tissue."

Callahan said Patchan is back in Gainesville and is expected to visit doctors at Shands Hospital today.

"They want to let the doctors at Shands work on it," Callahan said.

The 6-foot-7, 265-pound Patchan early enrolled at Florida in January after graduating from Armwood last December. Recruited as an offensive lineman, he was moved to the defensive line during spring practice. He is expected to be a major contributor this fall.

"I heard about it that night," said Eric Smith, who played with Patchan and Skiffington at Armwood. "My mom called me and told me. She said it didn't hit a bone or an artery. Everyone is saying they're okay. That's the word around here."

A person who answered the phone at the Skiffington residence declined to comment.

We'll be updating this story throughout the day on our Gator Blog.

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-- ANTONYA ENGLISH, IZZY GOULD and KEITH NIEBUHR

Comments

[miamicane]

As a 'Cane fan, I am just glad young Mr. Patchen elected to be a Gator. The longer this goes without explation, the more negative speculation/perception.

[BHS]

what were they doing at the park at 10:00 at night? I guess the Brandon boys are fed up with Armwoods b.s.

[rick32]

There have actually been 14 players in recent history... and I guess Stan was right that UF is the new Thug U.

Take a look at this if you want details of the infractions: http://sportsyenta.blogspot.com/2007/06/university-of-florida-new-miami.html

Check out Miami Herald archives - re: Marve

[Jeromy]

...I think this is the second UF Player headline in less than 2 weeks. The last one was what's his face, who was using the credit card of a dead girl!

Before that, it was the guy who stole a car from an impound lot...before that, the players that were arrested for fighting....before that...?

[rick32]

I have to agree with Jeremy. There seem to be a lot of off field issues with many of the Florida schools, particularly UF and also FSU...

Anyone who still thinks of UM as Thug U is either plain stupid or stuck in some 1980's time warp.

[Jeromy]

I don't think Stan was trying to say that "the shooting" has turned UF into the new Miami....but, will someone PLEASE compare the two Schools' off season troubles, from the last two years?

I'll save someone some trouble, Miami hasn't had a single arrest since Randy Shannon's been the head coach.

Sounds like someone trying to send a message. Kicking foot and shoulder. Cant lift weights with a bad shoulder. One thing for sure they were not innocent bystanders. Karma.

I guess Stan couldn't get into UF - that's why the hate.

[PleaseExplainStan]

Stan - please explain how a kid being shot as a bystander makes UF the new U of M?

Who was the shooter another Armwood player/student? Someone who knew Patchan had shoulder problems and too kick the place kicker in his kicking foot. it got ugly between him and freedom to didn't it?

Yeah - and in the shoulder for a linesman?? Doesn't he use that on the line? Way too coincidental.

Shot in his kicking foot? What is up with that. Very strange or very personal.

What is it with 'stand-out' football players and "incidences"?