Watch: Stadium Erupts as Florida Brings Back Chant That Was Banned for Years Due to Imaginary 'Racist' History

The Gateway Pundit ^ | September 8, 2026 | Samuel Short, The Western Journal

[Red Badger]

Sanity returned to the University of Florida Saturday when the Gators took on the Florida Atlantic Owls at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida.

During the neo-Marxist cultural revolution that was the summer of 2020, everything deemed "racist" had to be purged, regardless of context or logic dictating otherwise. ESPN reported that this included the popular "gator bait" chant, in which fans would extend their arms in front of them and clap their hands together like an alligator seizing its prey.

What exactly does that have to do with race? The university's president that year, Kent Fuchs, announced racial undertones were a concern because artwork from the late 1800s and early 1900s showed alligator hunters using black babies as bait.

However, Fox News' Outkick Sports reported that Fuchs had admitted UF's chant had nothing to do with any of those depictions.

"While I know of no evidence of racism associated with our ‘Gator Bait’ cheer at UF sporting events, there is horrific historic racist imagery associated with the phrase," he said.

Fox sports writer Zach Dean observed, "Translation: 'This isn't racist, but we're bending the knee to the mob because that's what everyone is doing right now.'"

So, the president was weak-willed and he caved.

Fuchs is now gone.

In July, Stuart Bell took over the role and brought back the chant, saying, "traditions matter."

He had hinted months ago that the cheer might be making a comeback, because "it's meaningful to the Gator family."

[FamiliarFace]

Love that song! It’s on my playlist very frequently. It works for FSWho, and dare I say, TTUN, which just got a little luck of their own.

There are lots of great Tom Petty songs…probably one for every occasion.