It was Tom Petty Day in Gainesville, Fl, and the moment everyone was waiting for came at the end of the third quarter.
The Gator Nation got together to celebrate Tom Petty by singing “I Won’t Back Down.”
They did it loud and proud.
and I Won't Back Down 🎶 #GoGators | #TomPettyDay pic.twitter.com/mbPFPkw1gD
— Florida Gators (@FloridaGators) October 16, 2022
There was merchandise available to celebrate the late rocker and his connection to the place he grew up.
Such an honor to meet @tompetty family today.
The waiting is the hardest part for #TomPettyDay tomorrow in the Swamp. #GoGators pic.twitter.com/mt4qhafZ5u— Danny Wuerffel (@DannyWuerffel) October 14, 2022
The proceeds went to charities and can be purchased here.
The Gators were trailing LSU entering the fourth quarter.
On the first play, quarterback Anthony Richardson showed he had no intention of backing down by running 81 yards for a Florida touchdown.
As called by @SeanKelleyLive & heard on the @varsity app: pic.twitter.com/3woactm04u
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) October 16, 2022
Unfortunately, ESPN maimed the tradition on Saturday by being in a commercial and only showing a piece of the crowd in full throat on the iconic song.
This is last year’s version until someone posts what happened at Ben Griffin Stadium on Tom Petty Day, 2022.