What Untold: Swamp Kings Doesn't Tell

The SEC is a dog-eat-dog world.

Urban Meyer is one of the most confounding and polarizing college football coaches of the last several decades, coaching for Utah, Florida, Ohio State, and the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 4-episode docuseries objectively paints Urban Meyer as a hero tasked with restoring Florida Gator football to the Steve Spurrier levels of success in the 90s by training his team like Marines.

Unfortunately, Spurrier was Meyer’s op in the game against South Carolina.

Ahmad Black is transparent about his disdain for the Georgia Bulldogs in the Knowshon Moreno era. The series showcases the World’s Largest Cocktail party, after which the latter became known to Gator Nation as "No-Show Moreno."

The mini-series features interview segments from Coach Meyer as well as former players Brandon Spikes and Brandon James. The Brandons aside, few untold stories actually come to light. A total of 31 players were arrested during Urban Meyer's six-year reign at the University of Florida.

Though not in the series himself, Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton took to TikTok to discuss his thoughts on the documentary, expressing the inaccuracy of Chris Leak’s edit. “Tebow is everything and some, but let’s not try to dim the light of Chris Leak… I really wanted to hear from Percy Harvin, Joe Haden, [and] the Pouncey twins. There was so much they left out.” Newton also reveals that he never received a National Championship ring from the University of Florida, but shelves the story for another day.

Percy Harvin’s legacy was left understated with only a few select highlights before his injury status against Alabama and his eventual pro status in 2009, and so were the allegations of his assault against a member of the coaching staff.

Netflix already took a swing at Aaron Hernandez's life and legacy in the 3 episode docuseries Killer Inside. The star tight end's $40 million contract with the New England Patriots turned out to be for naught. Tim Tebow accepts partial responsibility for the barfight allegedly spurred by racist trash talk that resulted in a ruptured ear, nothing is said about his 1st-degree murder conviction in 2015 and subsequent death behind bars.

"Nobody Stuffs Tim Tebow"

“If Tebow was black, would he have been as popular?”

Tim Tebow is the son of two career missionaries, making him the most legendary homeschool kid of all time. He basically exudes Christian chad energy, leading to some contention when he was recognized by President Obama for his athletic ability and the media for his adult virginity. The final episode features a brief plug for Tebow's foundation over a clip of him preaching at the Passion Conference, a large scale non-denominational gathering in Atlanta.

Despite not winning the Natty in 2007, Tebow won the Heisman trophy over finalists Darren McFadden (Arkansas), Colt Brennan (Hawaii), and Chase Daniel (Missouri).

At the end of the day, there’s something to be said for his faithful return in 2009. He was eventually drafted to the Denver Broncos.

Urban Meyer attempted to resign of his own will after health complications following the National Championship loss to Alabama in 09, yet rescinded his decision following a harrowing 2010 season. After transitioning to Ohio, Coach Meyer won a final natty in 2014 before a brief stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Swamp Kings is a valiant and ambitious documentary that does little, if anything, to reshape the narrative surrounding Florida football of the late 2000s. Still, this level of respect on the national stage is so rare it makes sense that die-hard fans are skeptical, calling it a revisionist PR fluff piece.

How to Watch Untold: Swamp Kings

Untold: Swamp Kings is a Netflix original.