Florida's tribute to Tom Petty was awesome (Video)
Florida’s tribute for Tom Petty turned out awesome.
Petty, a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and Gainesville native, died this week, so his hit song “I Won’t Back Down” was played over the loudspeaker at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The entire crowd came together to sing.
This one’s for you, @TomPetty. pic.twitter.com/OMUwJOnAgS
— Florida Gators (@FloridaGators) October 7, 2017
RIP Tom Petty. pic.twitter.com/8akHgv3hKd
— Cody Worsham (@CodyWorsham) October 7, 2017
Crowd rocks to Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down.” Very, very cool. pic.twitter.com/f93LTJl2fZ
— Thomas Goldkamp (@ThomasGoldkamp) October 7, 2017
How cool is that?
The song was played after the UF band’s traditional playing of “We Are the Boys from Old Florida” before the start of the fourth quarter Saturday against LSU.
In the story announcing UF’s tribute to Petty on the school athletics website, the idea of this becoming a tradition was floated.
Perhaps a new tradition will be born.
“We encourage fans to sing along as a way to honor a local legend and share a special moment in his music,” said Alicia Longworth, assistant athletics director of marketing and promotions. “Tom Petty is a beloved figure for so many Gator fans.”
It’d be a surprise if it didn’t catch on quickly for the rest of the season — and beyond.
Read more college football coverage from Yahoo Sports:
• Kicker just misses a field goal due to weird rule
• Illinois joins Iowa fans waving to children’s hospital
• Iowa State stuns No. 3 Oklahoma in biggest upset of season
• Ole Miss falls to Auburn, posts job for head coach
• Iowa State gets revenge on Oklahoma’s Mayfield
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Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
Read more college football coverage from Yahoo Sports:
• Kicker just misses a field goal due to weird rule
• Illinois joins Iowa fans waving to children’s hospital
• Ole Miss falls to Auburn, posts job for head coach
• Iowa State gets revenge on Oklahoma’s Mayfield
