We received this email from a big-time Gator fan.
I have been a life long Gator fan (since 1990). I have never been to a game at “The Swamp,” but my family and I will be attending our first game next Saturday, November 22.
The main reason I finally decided to attend a game was due to Tim Tebow. Not only is he an amazing player, but he is an even better person. My two daughters and I enjoy the manner in which he handles himself and he shares his faith with others.
Any advice you can give a “first timer?”
I’ll give me two sense, but I want to encourage all the readers to give their advice to this “first timer”.
1. Learn the fight songs and cheers - If you’ve been a lifelong Gator fan, you may know the cheers… but they don’t show them on TV, so you may now. You can find the fight songs here. Two basic cheers are “orange and blue” and “it’s great to be a Florida Gator”. Also be ready for “We Are The Boys” after the 3rd quarter.
2. Be prepared to stand up - If you’re sitting on the alumni side, this may not be an issue… but on the student side, be prepared to stand and yell the entire game… even if the Gators are up by 40.
3. Cheer Tim Tebow no matter what happens.
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you should make sure you know all the songs and traditions. You don’t want to be left out of anything. Mr. Two-bits. The orange and blue cheer. Go gators get up and go. We are the boys from old florida is pretty much a must-know. you don’t want to be the only one not singing and swaying after the third when its time to bond with your fellow gators.
Make sure that you incorporate any Gator gear with blatant signs of American patriotism. If you have a giant cardboard sign, make sure that you write “Support Our Troops” or something to that effect. Doing this will earn you credibility with your fellow Gators and possibly even some face time on the media. In the wake of Barack Obama’s rise to the presidency, we need such displays of our loyalty to the U.S.A.
Extending this theme, make sure that you take off your hat and place your right hand on your heart during the National Anthem. The women in your company do not need to do the former, by the way.
Last but not least, root for a more competitive game than what has transpired in the last six contests. First off, rooting for an unmitigated slaughter of the opponent will make you look like a savage, unsportmanlike fan, a direct contravention of Urban Meyer’s directive to “cheer for good play by both teams” Second, a more competitive game means that Tim Tebow will have to take more snaps, which will enable you to better follow Step 3 in the column. Third, fewer fans will likely leave the stadium, allowing you to better experience the Swamp environment and give you a better value for your money. However, do not root for a Citadel lead, but rather a game close enough to be competitive, but with enough of a Florida lead to make a comeback look unlikely.
great story..
Dear Tim,
You did a great job in the alabama game and all the others. I wish you luck at the national championchip game. Sho Bradford who the real heisman is!
and merry chrstmas! “Jingle bells Georgia smells, Gators all the way! Auburn LSU sux and Bama is gay.” Happy holidays!
LOVE,
Laia =D
Dear Tim,
You did a great job in the alabama game and all the others. I wish you luck at the national championchip game. Sho Bradford who the real heisman is!
and merry chrstmas! “Jingle bells Georgia smells, Gators all the way! Auburn lost, LSU sux and Bama is gay.” Happy holidays!
LOVE,
Laia =D