Earlier this week, Megan Mullen, the wife of University of Florida’s head football coach Dan Mullen, went viral for her longstanding practice of hugging and kissing Gators players as they come off the bus for games.
When asked about it in 2018, Megan Mullen told Rivals.com, “At first maybe when I came in they said, ‘wow, who is that blond thats around and is always hugging me. Now they come up to me and hug me and talk to me before I get to them.”
Many on the internet found the idea of a grown, married woman going around week after week hugging and kissing young men in their late teens and early twenties a bit disturbing and in turn, left her open to wild speculation about the reasons behind her behavior.
Some players, however, like Gators wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland, see nothing wrong with Megan Mullen’s actions, and in fact, welcome it.
“The way she shows love to us it’s a cool thing to have. It’s good to have a lady like that, sweet and kind,” he said.
Gators head coach Dan Mullen has said that his wife is “like the co-head coach when it comes to being around the players. You know pick them up and she is always positive, always has a smile on her face. But thats who she is. Not just around the players but she does that for me, she always puts a smile on my face.”
Still, many on social media found her behavior to be at best, inappropriate, and at worst, sexual harassment.
