Wednesday, August 30, 2017 | General, Football, Chris Harry
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As UF prepares to open the 2017 season Saturday in Dallas, the Gators look to turn all of Texas into "Chompville."
By: Chris Harry, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — No election was necessary.
Emmitt Smith — who else? — has been declared the mayor of Chompville.
Smith, the University of Florida and Pro Football Hall-of-Famer and all-time NFL rushing leader, has been installed to the honorable and honorary post as the Gators prepare to take over the Dallas area in advance of Saturday's 2017 season-opening AdvoCare Classic showdown between the No. 17 Gators and No. 11 Michigan in Arlington, Texas.
Well, it's basically everywhere the Gators are — and this week that's the Lone Star State. Fans can search online, ask a friend, or scour all of Texas, but only Gators can show you Chompville.
Want to see downtown Chompville?
Come to AT&T Stadium, site of the big game, on Saturday for a pep rally, tailgate party and flag-planting, with guest appearances by the greatest Gator of them all, Ambassador Head Ball Coach Steve Spurrier, as well as Gator Great and NFL Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith.
The Dallas skyline has a little different look this week, thanks to the downtown Chompville Omni Hotel.
After averaging 126.7 yards per game during his UF career (1987-89) — second only in Southeastern Conference history to Herschel Walker — Smith was a first-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in 1990 and over his 15 seasons (13 in Dallas, the last two in Arizona) rushed for 18,355 yards, 164 touchdowns, won three Super Bowls and was voted to eight Pro Bowls. Smith was named Most Valuable Player following his 1993 season and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on the first ballot in 2010.
In the days leading up to the game, Mayor Smith and city officials Albert and Alberta will promote various events and contests in around Chompville through their social accounts. Use the hashtag #Chompville and through Snapchat filters, Twitter, Instagram, online and grass roots efforts, Gator Nation will turn "Big D" into "Big C," as in in Chompville Texas.
Remember: It's not enough to yell, "Go Gators," this weekend. Fans must #WeCHOMP, share it on social media and chomp some more.
FAN EVENTS
Thursday: Chomp Around Town
The Chomp Crew will activate a social scavenger hunt in Sun Dance Square in Downtown Fort Worth. Fans will have to rush to find the City Officials and the Chomp Crew to win prizes.
Friday: Chomp Around Town
The Chomp Crew will activate a social scavenger hunt in various locations in Downtown Dallas. Fans will have to rush to find the City Officials and the Chomp Crew to win prizes.
Friday: Chomp Rally
From 6-7 p.m. in the Omni Hotel, all Gators fans are invited to attend the Chomp Rally. Join Emmitt Smith, Steve Spurrier, the Marching Band, Spirit Squads & more for a night of chomping.
Saturday: Chomp Tailgate
Fans in the Metroplex are encouraged to stop by Tailgate Tavern from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on game day as it has been dubbed Gator Nation's Headquarters on Saturday.
Communications director Will Pantages contributed to this report.
