Lito Sheppard Gets Another Shot at 'Mr. Two Bits'
Tuesday, October 14, 2014 | Football, Chris Harry
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Believe it or not, Lito Sheppard was unaware of the new tradition that pegged a notable University of Florida personality to serve as an honorary Mr. Two Bits and lead the crowd at Ben Hill Griffin through the iconic pre-game cheer.
Until he was asked, that is.
Then UF forwarded a tape of former Gator tailback Errict Rhett mimicking the man in the yellow shirt, white pants and bellowing whistle.
“I thought he did a great job, what with being so in character and the outfit and all,” Sheppard said earlier this summer. “But I definitely think I can do a better job as far as getting the crowd hyped.”
Oh boy.
As the saying goes, “Them's fightin' words.”
Sheppard, one of the best defensive backs in UF history, will get his chance to out-Bit not only Rhett, but the other 2013 and '14 predecessors when he gets the ceremonial nod Saturday for the homecoming date between the Gators (3-2, 2-2) and Missouri (4-2, 1-1) The Swamp.
Note: If this all sounds familiar, it is. Sheppard was scheduled to do the "Two Bits" thing for the Aug. 30 season opener against Idaho that was wiped out by thunderstorms. Consider this his rain-check make-up date.
Sheppard, 33, was a standout cornerback for the Gators from 1999-2001, twice being named first-team All-Southeastern Conference and also first-team All-American after his 2000 sophomore season.
In 2002, the Philadelphia Eagles picked Sheppard in the first round (26th overall) of the NFL draft and his ensuing 10-year career included an All-Pro season, two invitations to the Pro Bowl and an appearance in Super Bowl XXXIX in his hometown of Jacksonville.
Sheppard has only been out of the NFL for three years, so football still runs rich through his blood. So the opportunity to give back via this popular new and popular tradition was exciting.
“That was very touching to me, a privilege,” said Sheppard, now married with four children and dabbling in pharmaceutical sales while still casting an eye toward coaching after working three weeks in Eagles training camp this summer as part of the NFL's minority internship coaching program. “I've always tried to put my best foot forward for this university. Every time I stepped on the field I wanted to represent myself, my family and the University of Florida well."
Now he can return the favor with an animated performance he hopes can springboard the Gators to a much-needed win. Despite two early SEC losses, the UF remains very much alive in the race on the league's East Division side.
“We've always been held to a higher standard at the University of Florida and we need to get back to that,” said Sheppard, who totaled eight interceptions and 87 tackles at UF, then became the only player in NFL history with two TD interception returns of more than 100 yards. “I know we have the talent. I know we have a lot of good coaches. This is a very important year.”
And an important ritual to get it started.
Sheppard asked if wearing the standard George Edmondson outfit was required to play the Two Bits role. Several of the participants asked the same thing last year.
Ultimately, they've all dressed the part on game day.
Don't hold Sheppard to it, though. That's his right. His call.
“I may just do my own thing and put my own twist to it,” he said. “I'll respect how it was originally done, but I just may have to throw in little flair of my own.”
So be it. Whatever the case, the end game -- Gators standing and hollering -- is the same.
Rest assured, E-Rhett will be watching.
