Florida has a small sampling of real-life fans in The Swamp for the home opener today, but none are cooler than the cardboard cutout of Tom Petty.
One day and three years after his passing, Florida football is sure to remember Tom Petty. At the home opener for the Gators on Saturday, a cardboard cutout of the Gainesville native whose song “I Won’t Back Down” was a rallying cry and anthem for so many years in The Swamp.
https://twitter.com/MartySmithESPN/status/1312415247052005376
This is just so cool and a fitting tribute. It’s still hard to believe it’s been three years since the musical genius and certified legend left this earth. Every time I hear one of his songs, it’s bittersweet because, on one hand, I’m happy to hear one of his songs and then on the other, I’m reminded he’s no longer with us.
Florida honors Tom Petty, Edward Aschoff at home opener
Maybe that’s the wrong way of putting it because his songs are with us forever and he’ll live forever in the chords, lyrics and melodies of his countless songs and albums.
In another fitting tribute, Florida honored another one of their own, a former member of the marching band and ESPN writer, Edward Aschoff with his own cardboard cutout.
We're glad we could save a spot for @AschoffESPN in the stands with @UFGatorBand, as a tribute. #GoGators pic.twitter.com/oQFiruoxjh
— Florida Gators (@FloridaGators) October 2, 2020
Aschoff died on Christmas Eve after battling an aggressive form of cancer. There will be a lot of emotion in The Swamp on Saturday with the Gators looking to improve to 2-0 on the year as they take on the 0-1 South Carolina Gamecocks.
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