Carter's Corner: Petty Family Cheers Gators' New Tradition
Wednesday, October 24, 2018 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – If you happen to follow me on Twitter, you already know how I spent my Saturday afternoon of the bye week: attending the dedication ceremony of Tom Petty Park in northeast Gainesville.
A Gainesville native, Petty moved to Southern California in the mid-1970s to chase his rock and roll dreams. Those dreams became reality and turned Petty into one of the great songwriters in rock history. He often paid homage to his roots in the songs that serve as life's soundtrack for millions of his fans around the globe. Petty returned to Gainesville many times over the years, including to play four concerts as the leader of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
Petty's unexpected death on Oct. 2, 2017, at the age of 66 happened five days before the Gators hosted LSU at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. As the week unfolded, University Athletic Association officials devised a plan to honor Petty's memory with a playing of his famous anthem "I Won't Back Down" between the third and fourth quarters.
At the time, no one knew it would become a new Gators ritual. However, the overwhelming positive response and fan interest made it stick. The tradition is just eight games old but already seems a part of the program's history.
Bruce Petty, Tom's younger brother, and Adria Petty, Tom's oldest daughter, spoke to hundreds of fans who turned out for Saturday's dedication ceremony at what used to be known as Northeast Park. The Petty boys grew up nearby and used to play and hang out with their friends in the park.
Bruce Petty, who said his daughters were in attendance at the UF-LSU game a year ago, said the family was touched by the gesture.
"The last 12 months have been the hardest that we have ever dealt with, Adria and I,'' Bruce Petty said. "The love we have felt out of this community during that time has been amazing. You people have really touched us so much.
"I haven't had a chance to thank the University of Florida, but when you guys are singing at the end of the third quarter -- we watched you from California the first time you did it and we just all cried. It was amazing. Thank you University of Florida. Go Gators."
Tom Petty would have turned 68 on Saturday.
If you would like to hear Bruce Petty's comments, UAA colleague Bruce Floyd was also in attendance and better prepared than I was to capture the moment. Check out his video below:
Little better shot of sign ... Bruce Petty, Tom's brother, said family is touched by #Gators' new 'I Won't Back Down' tradition ... pic.twitter.com/xgrdOCkojV
— Scott Carter (@GatorsScott) October 20, 2018
A Gainesville native, Petty moved to Southern California in the mid-1970s to chase his rock and roll dreams. Those dreams became reality and turned Petty into one of the great songwriters in rock history. He often paid homage to his roots in the songs that serve as life's soundtrack for millions of his fans around the globe. Petty returned to Gainesville many times over the years, including to play four concerts as the leader of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
Petty's unexpected death on Oct. 2, 2017, at the age of 66 happened five days before the Gators hosted LSU at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. As the week unfolded, University Athletic Association officials devised a plan to honor Petty's memory with a playing of his famous anthem "I Won't Back Down" between the third and fourth quarters.
At the time, no one knew it would become a new Gators ritual. However, the overwhelming positive response and fan interest made it stick. The tradition is just eight games old but already seems a part of the program's history.
Bruce Petty, Tom's younger brother, and Adria Petty, Tom's oldest daughter, spoke to hundreds of fans who turned out for Saturday's dedication ceremony at what used to be known as Northeast Park. The Petty boys grew up nearby and used to play and hang out with their friends in the park.
Bruce Petty, who said his daughters were in attendance at the UF-LSU game a year ago, said the family was touched by the gesture.
"The last 12 months have been the hardest that we have ever dealt with, Adria and I,'' Bruce Petty said. "The love we have felt out of this community during that time has been amazing. You people have really touched us so much.
"I haven't had a chance to thank the University of Florida, but when you guys are singing at the end of the third quarter -- we watched you from California the first time you did it and we just all cried. It was amazing. Thank you University of Florida. Go Gators."
Tom Petty would have turned 68 on Saturday.
If you would like to hear Bruce Petty's comments, UAA colleague Bruce Floyd was also in attendance and better prepared than I was to capture the moment. Check out his video below:
Tuesday, October 13
Tuesday, October 13
Tuesday, October 13
Tuesday, October 13
