Florida's 'Tom Petty Day,' explained: Why Gators honor rock legend in college football season

Saturday marks the second annual “Tom Petty Day” at Florida football's Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Last season’s version came against LSU on Oct. 15. This season’s occurrence comes against Charlotte at 7 p.m. ET in Gainesville on Saturday.

Here’s everything you need to know about “Tom Petty Day” at The Swamp, including a rundown of the festivities and the rock legend’s connection to the university:

What is “Tom Petty Day” at Florida?

“Tom Petty Day” at Florida football games started in 2022 and was a smash success. Florida honored Petty, who died in 2017, with an honorary Doctor of Music degree in May.

This year marks the six-year anniversary of Florida playing Petty’s hit song, "I won’t back down," at the end of the third quarter, with this season’s version featuring an orange and blue LED lights show and fireworks during the song.

In 2023, festivities include a collection of exclusive Florida-inspired Petty clothing that’s available at the UF Bookstore and online at Fanatics, and a playlist of Petty’s top songs being played during action breaks and pregame. There will also be Gators highlights videos to Petty’s music, Petty souvenir cups for sale and a fan giveaway for a “Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers” collectible box set.

Florida’s dance team, “The Dazzlers,” will also prepare a dance number to Petty’s music.

History of ‘I won’t back down’ at The Swamp

Petty’s hit song "I won’t back down" was first played at The Swamp in 2017 against LSU. The Gators fell to the Tigers 17-16 that day.

The song was played on Oct. 7, 2017, five days after Petty died.

What is Tom Petty’s connection to the University of Florida?

Petty was born and raised in Gainesville and attended Gainesville High School in the late 1960s.

Petty never attended the University of Florida, but he did briefly work on the campus grounds crew. There are also rumors that Petty planted a tree on campus, and his song, “American Girl,” was based on a suicide attempt at Beaty Towers.

“Everybody feels as if they have a sliver of a connection to him,” Petty’s daughter, Adria, told the Gainesville Sun in 2022. “You get to the point where it doesn’t matter if it’s true or not, as long as it’s cool.”

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Florida's 'Tom Petty Day,' explained: Why Gators honor rock legend