Florida Gators revive iconic 'Gator Bait' chant the left deemed racist back in 2020, and fans ate it up
Florida Revives “Gator Bait” Chant After Six‑Year Ban, Fans React
Gainesville, Fla. – September 9, 2026 – The University of Florida’s football team opened the 2026 season with a fresh look on the field and a return to a long‑gone tradition that had sparked controversy. After a six‑year hiatus, the “Gator Bait” chant was reintroduced in the stands during the Gators’ home opener against the Texas A&M Aggies.
The revival came amid a season that began with new leadership and a surge of offensive production. The team was led by first‑year head coach Brandon Smith and quarterback Jace Thompson, both of whom delivered a combined 55 points in the opening game. But it was the roar from the stands that captured the attention of fans and media alike.
“We’re thrilled to hear that chant again,” said a longtime fan, who was in the crowd for the first time since the Tebow era. “It brings me back to the days I grew up attending Gator games. The energy, the band, the chant—it was electric.”
The chant, which gained popularity in the 1990s, was created by Lawrence Wright in 1995. It was removed from the university’s game-day repertoire in the summer of 2020, when the university’s athletic department cited concerns that the phrase could be linked to racist imagery of Black children being used as bait to catch alligators. UF President Kent Fuchs released a letter that month acknowledging the historical context while stating, “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.”
Fuchs’s statement was interpreted by many as a decision to “bend the knee to the mob,” according to some observers. The ban sparked debate among alumni, students, and local residents, with some praising the move for avoiding potential offense and others criticizing it as an unnecessary concession.
In a phone interview with 1010 XL early this summer, new UF president Dr. Stuart Bell addressed the chant’s future. “I know there’s a lot around the ‘Gator Bait’ chant,” Bell told the station. “It’s meaningful to the Gator family, and I hope we’re able to have some really great conversations around that.”
The decision to reinstate the chant was announced by the university’s athletic department on the day of the opener, with a statement that the university “supports traditions that unite our community and respect the diversity of all fans.” Bell’s remarks were viewed by supporters as an attempt to balance tradition with sensitivity.
The return of the chant has reignited discussions on campus and across the state. Student‑athlete representatives said the decision would not alter the university’s commitment to inclusivity. “We’re proud of our history, but we also care about our students’ feelings,” said team captain Maya Patel. “We’ll keep listening.”
As the Gators continue their season, the “Gator Bait” chant remains a point of conversation among students, alumni, and local residents. The university’s administration has pledged to monitor the situation and engage in further dialogue to ensure that the tradition is embraced in a manner that respects the institution’s diverse community.