Florida’s “Gator Bait” cheer made its way back to The Swamp on Saturday night, and the crowd let the moment land.
During the first quarter of Florida’s 66-21 win over Florida Atlantic in the season opener, the Gators’ band played the familiar musical cue tied to the cheer, and fans inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium joined in. It was the first time the tradition had been performed there in more than six years.
Florida had shut it down in June 2020, when then-president Kent Fuchs announced the band would stop playing the cue amid national racial controversy following the death of George Floyd. At the time, the university pointed to concerns about the phrase’s historical racial associations and the imagery attached to it.
The move drew plenty of pushback from Florida fans, many of whom argued the chant had long been part of game day in Gainesville and was never meant to carry racist meaning when used by Gators supporters.
The return had been hinted at before kickoff. Videos of Florida’s band practicing the accompanying music circulated on social media earlier in the week, leading to speculation that the tradition could be back for the 2026 season. Instead, it showed up on opening night, and the reaction was loud.
New University of Florida president Stuart Bell had already signaled the change in June, saying, "traditions matter" and adding that it may return because "it's meaningful to the Gator family."
The decision arrives during a period of broader change at the university. Florida eliminated its diversity, equity and inclusion positions in 2024 after a state rule barred the addition of such programs, and the school also redirected approximately $5 million that had previously gone annually to DEI efforts, including salaries and expenditures, into a faculty recruitment fund.
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Florida Just Got An Early Recruiting Boost In The Swamp
Floridas home opener against FAU doubled as a recruiting showcase, with a sizable group of football commits and prospects taking in the game at The Swamp. The visit gave the program an early-season chance to sell the full Florida experience, and the setting appeared to do plenty of the work, with several attendees posting photos and videos afterward and leaving with strong impressions of the stadium and the atmosphere.
For a staff working to keep momentum on the trail, those kinds of visits matter almost as much as what happens on the field. The Gators want recruits to see packed stands, energy, and a place that feels different on game day, and this opener offered exactly that kind of stage. The social media reaction suggested the trip landed well, even if the longer recruiting payoff is still to come. [Read more 🡒]
Auburn Has Early Reason To Watch Floridas Eric Singleton Situation
Eric Singleton Jr. gave Florida an early scare in Week 1 when the receiver went down with an ankle injury against Florida Atlantic, and the initial read is not encouraging for the Gators. Head coach Jon Sumrall labeled him highly questionable, while offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner said the injury was a disappointment, a rough start for a transfer who was expected to play a major role in the offense this season.
The timing makes it worth watching beyond Gainesville, too, because Auburn already knows plenty about Singleton from his previous stop there before he moved on to Georgia Tech and then Florida. For the Gators, the immediate concern is simple: getting a key weapon healthy enough to matter early in the schedule, starting with Campbell, while the longer-term question is how much time this ankle issue might cost a player they were counting on to help shape the passing game. [Read more 🡒]
Florida Passing Game Faces Early Test After Key Receiver Concern
Floridas opening-week win over Florida Atlantic came with a small but notable wrinkle in the passing game, as transfer wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr. left with an ankle injury and is now doubtful for the upcoming game against Campbell. Even in a blowout that ended 66-21, the Gators did not get a catch from Singleton, who arrived with more than 2,000 career receiving yards and was expected to be part of the early conversation in Floridas offense.
With Campbell next on the schedule, the focus shifts to how quickly Florida can keep building rhythm through the air while one of its more experienced targets works back toward full health. Quarterback Aaron Philo and wide receiver Vernell Brown III helped lead the offense in the opener, but Singletons status adds another layer to a passing game that is still sorting out its early-season shape. [Read more 🡒]