Scott declares Knights national champions

TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Rick Scott, jumping on the crowded UCF bandwagon, issued a proclamation Monday declaring the Knights the true national champions of the 2017 NCAA football season.

“Florida is home to the country’s best college football, and this season, UCF proved to the world that they can beat any team,” Scott said in a released statement. “Charge On.”

The proclamation has no legal bearing and doesn’t affect the official championship.

Alabama and Georgia played Monday night in the official championship game, but that hasn’t stopped UCF and its fans from claiming a national title.

UCF’s perfect 13-0 season ended with a 34-27 victory over the Auburn Tigers in the Peach Bowl on New Year’s Day. Since Auburn was the only team to defeat both Alabama and Georgia during the season, UCF is the best team in the country, administrators and fans argue.

UCF athletics director Danny White ignited the conversation by declaring “national champions” within earshot of TV cameras after the Peach Bowl victory. UCF quarterback McKenzie Milton followed it up by telling interviewers, “I guess you can cancel the playoffs now.”

UCF threw a parade at Disney World on Sunday to celebrate the championship as well.

Central Florida politicians have also started backing the claim. Local lawmakers said they’d support a resolution declaring the Knights champions.

Rep. Mike Miller, R-Orlando, also wrote to President Donald Trump suggesting he invite the Knights to the White House, as is customary for national title winners.

Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis also invited the team to the Florida Capitol to celebrate the season.

Read the text of the proclamation below: