College football is built on traditions, but few conferences embrace them like the Southeastern Conference.
At Florida, the traditions that define home game Saturdays in Gainesville stand shoulder to shoulder with those of every other great college football town in the SEC, creating one of the most distinctive atmospheres in the sport.
Those traditions include:
- The Gator Walk leading to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
- Fans performing the Gator Chomp in unison to the band’s ominous theme throughout the game.
- The stadium coming together for a singalong of “I Won’t Back Down” as a tribute to Gainesville native Tom Petty.
Together, those traditions create an atmosphere that is uniquely Florida, making Saturdays in The Swamp as memorable as anywhere in college football.
Click here for the full story on each SEC school’s most iconic customs.
Mike Garbett is a content specialist working with McClatchy’s Content Innovation Lab.