A Mistake That Can Come Back to Bite You

The University of Florida’s football program got some unwanted publicity this week, but it had nothing to do with NCAA violations or run-ins with law enforcement.

The Gators’ media guide came out with a cover featuring a shot of a toothy, gaping-jawed ... crocodile.

As any herpetologist will tell you, a croc has a lighter color, a noticeably narrower snout and its teeth are arranged differently than a gator.

A fan noticed the error and called the school, which had hired a local firm to supply a picture of an alligator.

“Trust me, everyone in our office knows the difference between a crocodile and an alligator now,” school spokeswoman Mary Howard said.

*

Big bite: Fish and game officials are worried that Florida residents are becoming a little too chummy with some of the 1 1/2 million or so alligators living in the state.

“Some people almost adopt them,” said Henry Cabbage of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. “They give them names like ‘Old Joe’ and feed them hot dogs and marshmallows.

“That’s not a good idea for an 800-pound animal with a brain the size of your thumb.”

*

Trivia time: Who is the only male tennis player to win two Grand Slams?

*

See ya: Former Nebraska quarterback Eric Crouch, the 2001 Heisman Trophy winner, is quitting pro football after stints with St. Louis and Green Bay.

“In all honesty, I’m ready to move on,” he said. “If I wanted to stick it out, I would’ve stuck it out. I’ve tried this NFL thing for two teams. I just really couldn’t get excited about it. I couldn’t be passionate about it.”

Think Ram and Packer fans noticed?

*

Fame game: British Open winner and instant celebrity Ben Curtis is struggling a little with his newfound fame. He recently told David Letterman that Tiger Woods “has got this aroma about him that’s unbelievable.”

In a radio interview last week, he said “there’s not much luck involved” in winning a major, that he was “just a normal guy who has great talent,” and Phil Mickelson “needs to be a little patient.”

*

Keep the beat: The Class-A Lowell, Mass., Spinners are paying tribute to “On the Road” at home.

On Aug. 21, the first 1,000 fans will get a Jack Kerouac bobblehead doll, a promotion honoring the leading chronicler of the “beat generation” who was born in Lowell.

The 8-inch figurines depict Kerouac holding a pen and notebook and standing on a copy of his best-known work, “On the Road.”

Kerouac played football at Columbia and worked for a year as a sportswriter.

*

Wears it well: Wimbledon winner Roger Federer -- the best player you hadn’t heard much of before his spectacular performances in England -- now has his own line of fragrances called RF, including deodorant, cologne, body wash and shampoo.

*

Trivia answer: Rod Laver, in 1962 and 1969.

*

And finally: KFWB’s Bret Lewis: “If the meek shall inherit the earth, then the Dodger batters are in great shape.”

-- John Weyler