One thought kept nagging at me during Florida’s defeat of Mississippi State in the Swamp on Oct. 18: What if?
Over halfway through the season, Florida football fans find themselves facing the all-too-familiar frustration of cheering for a team that consistently fluctuates in its performance and skill. More often than not, Gator fans leave football games feeling disappointed and frustrated.
But a third-quarter tradition, which emerged following the death of Tom Petty in 2017, continues to center them.
Time and time again, fans sell out the Swamp, even when disappointment feels inevitable. And then following the third quarter, they howl the lyrics to Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down” as they shine their phone flashlights.
“Hey, baby / There ain't no easy way out / Hey, I will stand my ground / And I won't back down.”
Fans scream in unison with 90,000 others, declaring that as a fan of the team, they won’t back down. In that moment, the fans become the 12th player on the field. Through song, they are saying, “We are here with you, even though it’s hard.” The challenge has begun — it’s time to step up.
This is what it means to be a real fan. A real fan sticks through the tough seasons, the fluke interceptions and the transitions of head coaches. They do this because, as the hype video at the beginning of each game says, they are rooting for something deep within themselves. Fans are fighting for something greater than a game. They are cheering for strength, tenacity and greatness.
But that same spirit defines more than just Gator Nation. That is what it means to be a real American — to endure, in all kinds of weather, a nation that stands on a durable yet cracking foundation. The fight to maintain a democracy is not easy — especially when the path forward feels uncertain.
What if Americans treated each other the way Gator fans do singing to Petty?
Not backing down doesn’t mean digging your heels into a fixed belief or refusing to move forward. True resilience means not shying away from a challenge because there is something simpler or easier. It looks like an athlete who consistently breaks her personal records in the weight room, and instead of waiting for praise, she turns around and picks up the rack again. Refusing to compromise on character is what it means to be great.
But greatness isn’t only up to the playmakers on the field. While players determine the outcome through every yard and every catch, the fans bear the burden of accountability. If enough Americans committed to dialing down aggressive rhetoric and radical partisanship, maybe that would change the actions of our elected officials.
Mass opinion is shaped by each individual member. When so many fans are cheering alongside you, it is easy to forget the difference that the individual makes.
But unlike this Gator tradition, where fans scream only Gators get out alive, the call of unity transcends individual team allegiance. As Americans, all of us are seated on backless, metal benches in the Swamp. Yes, even the Florida State fans.
Imagine how our nation would look if we treated each other like Gators fans did in the third quarter. Imagine how our policy, our social media, our rhetoric and our communities would look if we took up the Gators tradition and fought for something greater than ourselves.
That is the commitment democracy requires. And despite our perpetual resistance, it’s a team sport.
Grace Anderson is a 22-year-old UF public relations senior.
