Report: Release date set for "Swamp Kings" Netflix documentary on 2006-09 Florida Gators

On3-Social-Profile_GRAYby:On3 Staff Report06/03/23

A long-awaited Netflix documentary on the Florida Gators‘ most successful period in school history appears to have a release date, if a little Internet sleuthing proves to be accurate.

According to a screenshot from former Florida linebacker Brandon Siler‘s Instagram account, the documentary titled “Swamp Kings” will be released on August 23, under the Untold banner.

Untold is a series of sports documentaries distributed on Netflix. Previous topics covered include the 2007 NBA betting scandal, Manti Te’o‘s online relationship with a girlfriend that didn’t exist and ‘Malice at the Palace,’ among others.

Florida in that timeframe will provide no shortage of interesting angles.

The Gators rose to new heights under coach Urban Meyer, who took over the program in 2005. By 2006 Florida had claimed its second ever national championship, and that was just the beginning.

After the national championship, star quarterback Tim Tebow took over and went on to one of the most successful careers in school history. He won the Heisman Trophy in 2007, then guided the team to a second national championship in 2008.

The 2009 season featured an unbeaten regular season, but the start of the dynasty collapsing occurred after that when star defensive end Carlos Dunlap was arrested for falling asleep behind the wheel after drinking just ahead of the 2009 SEC Championship Game. He was suspended for the game, Alabama won and the Nick Saban dynasty was off and running in earnest.

Meyer would then briefly retire, setting the stage for his eventual parting of ways one year later. His tenure, as successful as it was, was marred by numerous of off-the-field incidents, with Florida’s arrest totals popular fodder for rival message boards.

Two players from that era would later be connected to murders, with Aaron Hernandez famously convicted of the murder of Odin Lloyd and safety Tony Joiner recently reaching a plea deal after being charged with the murder of his wife.

The talent at Florida, though, was undeniable.

Along with Tebow, eventual first-rounders Maurkice Pouncey and Mike Pouncey, Olympian Jeff Demps, do-it-all offensive threat Percy Harvin, cornerback Joe Haden and others were on those teams.