Former Gators quarterback Jesse Palmer participated in Florida's 2024 football schedule release video from the set of "The Golden Bachelor." (Photo: UAA screen shot)
Carter's Corner: Gators Produce a Hit as UF Celebrities Introduce 2024 Football Schedule
Thursday, December 14, 2023 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The intro fit a familiar enough script.
When you clicked on the video released Wednesday night to announce Florida's 2024 football schedule, you heard Gators radio voice Sean Kelley broadcasting from The Swamp. Next, Gators ambassador Steve Spurrier appeared on the screen and introduced himself.
"Hi there, I'm Steve Spurrier, sometimes known as the Head Ball Coach,'' Spurrier said. "And I'm here today with some other fellow Gators to reveal our 2024 football schedule."
At that point, perhaps you expected Gators head coach Billy Napier to show up on the screen, or maybe UF President Ben Sasse or Athletic Director Scott Stricklin. Then again, perhaps Spurrier had invited popular Gators Albert and Alberta over to announce the schedule on those large cardboard signs you see every Saturday on the sidelines. You know, since they can't talk.
But whatever you expected, you probably didn't have on your bingo card Florida graduate Stephanie Abrams of The Weather Channel kicking off the 4-minute clip by talking about hurricanes. The Miami Hurricanes, who visit Ben Hill Griffin Stadium for the season opener Aug. 31.
"Beyond the obvious of trying to take a creative approach, we wanted to showcase the breadth of the Gator Nation and highlight some of our notable alumni,'' said Kevin Camps, UF's assistant athletic director for creative services. "We are fortunate to have so many high-profile Gators who are very successful in their respective fields, and thankful they took time out of their busy schedules to participate in the video.
"Of course, having Coach Spurrier anchor the video was a perfect way to tie it all together. Our creative team did a great job pulling it all together and hopefully our fans enjoyed it."
Based on the reaction on social media, a two-thumbs-up emoji seems fitting here.
As soon as Abrams departed with a Gator Chomp, Olympic swimmer Caeleb Dressel appears pool-side to announce Samford as the Gators' next opponent.
Where is this video going, you ask?
Well, straight to the set of "The Golden Bachelor," where former Gators quarterback Jesse Palmer hyped the home matchup against Texas A&M in the third game next season.
"I cannot wait to see the home crowd in Gainesville,'' Palmer says. "It is going to be one of the most electrifying atmospheres of the entire year."
Some of the most famous Gators continued to show up to announce the final nine games, with the Head Ball Coach keeping it moving from his office inside The Swamp.
Darrell Hammond of Saturday Night Live handled Mississippi State, actor Stephen Root took care of UCF, and NBC's Cris Collinsworth introduced Tennessee with a verbal poke to the ribs of former Vols quarterback Peyton Manning. Collinsworth, working from a TV booth at Lambeau Field, kicked it to Fox's Erin Andrews on the field in Philadelphia.
After a bye week that Spurrier handled heading into the Georgia game, ESPN's Laura Rutledge, tennis star Ben Shelton and WWE standout Thaddeus Bullard announced the Texas, LSU and Ole Miss games.
Last but definitely not least, Tim Tebow, arguably the most famous Gator of them all, introduced the Florida State game.
"One of the greatest rivalries,'' Tebow said. "For the last game of the season, we get to head out west and play that other team."
The Gators have a tough schedule in 2024, but they won on Wednesday night.
When you clicked on the video released Wednesday night to announce Florida's 2024 football schedule, you heard Gators radio voice Sean Kelley broadcasting from The Swamp. Next, Gators ambassador Steve Spurrier appeared on the screen and introduced himself.
"Hi there, I'm Steve Spurrier, sometimes known as the Head Ball Coach,'' Spurrier said. "And I'm here today with some other fellow Gators to reveal our 2024 football schedule."
At that point, perhaps you expected Gators head coach Billy Napier to show up on the screen, or maybe UF President Ben Sasse or Athletic Director Scott Stricklin. Then again, perhaps Spurrier had invited popular Gators Albert and Alberta over to announce the schedule on those large cardboard signs you see every Saturday on the sidelines. You know, since they can't talk.
But whatever you expected, you probably didn't have on your bingo card Florida graduate Stephanie Abrams of The Weather Channel kicking off the 4-minute clip by talking about hurricanes. The Miami Hurricanes, who visit Ben Hill Griffin Stadium for the season opener Aug. 31.
"Beyond the obvious of trying to take a creative approach, we wanted to showcase the breadth of the Gator Nation and highlight some of our notable alumni,'' said Kevin Camps, UF's assistant athletic director for creative services. "We are fortunate to have so many high-profile Gators who are very successful in their respective fields, and thankful they took time out of their busy schedules to participate in the video.
"Of course, having Coach Spurrier anchor the video was a perfect way to tie it all together. Our creative team did a great job pulling it all together and hopefully our fans enjoyed it."
The 2024 schedule is here! 🗓️#GoGators | #jOURney pic.twitter.com/6Nd3Mf7a1k
— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) December 14, 2023
Based on the reaction on social media, a two-thumbs-up emoji seems fitting here.
As soon as Abrams departed with a Gator Chomp, Olympic swimmer Caeleb Dressel appears pool-side to announce Samford as the Gators' next opponent.
Where is this video going, you ask?
Well, straight to the set of "The Golden Bachelor," where former Gators quarterback Jesse Palmer hyped the home matchup against Texas A&M in the third game next season.
"I cannot wait to see the home crowd in Gainesville,'' Palmer says. "It is going to be one of the most electrifying atmospheres of the entire year."
Some of the most famous Gators continued to show up to announce the final nine games, with the Head Ball Coach keeping it moving from his office inside The Swamp.
Darrell Hammond of Saturday Night Live handled Mississippi State, actor Stephen Root took care of UCF, and NBC's Cris Collinsworth introduced Tennessee with a verbal poke to the ribs of former Vols quarterback Peyton Manning. Collinsworth, working from a TV booth at Lambeau Field, kicked it to Fox's Erin Andrews on the field in Philadelphia.
After a bye week that Spurrier handled heading into the Georgia game, ESPN's Laura Rutledge, tennis star Ben Shelton and WWE standout Thaddeus Bullard announced the Texas, LSU and Ole Miss games.
Last but definitely not least, Tim Tebow, arguably the most famous Gator of them all, introduced the Florida State game.
"One of the greatest rivalries,'' Tebow said. "For the last game of the season, we get to head out west and play that other team."
The Gators have a tough schedule in 2024, but they won on Wednesday night.
Players Mentioned
/ Olympics
Gator Insider presented by Talon Wealth (October 21, 2025)
Tuesday, October 21
Inside Gators Football presented by UF Health (October 21, 2025)
Tuesday, October 21
Inside Gators Football presented by UF Health 10-21-25
Tuesday, October 21
Scott Stricklin Press Conference 10-20-25
Monday, October 20
