Gators super football fan ‘Mr. Two Bits’ dead at 97
George Edmondson, the Florida Gators’ ultimate football fan, has passed away at age 97.
Better known as “Mr. Two Bits,” Edmondson’s unique routine became a pregame ritual at home games for more than half a century and made him a veritable Gators institution.
Edmondson, who resided in Tampa and sold insurance, did not even attend UF, but he was a diehard Gator football fan dating to the post-World War II era. He began his turn as Mr. Two Bits during the 1949 season opener against The Citadel. He would continue the routine until retiring in 2008 — three years after the school named Edmondson an honorary alumnus.
Since 2013, UF has anointed a celebrity Mr. Two Bits to lead honor Edmondson by doing his iconic cheer. Past celebrity Mr. Two Bits include Gator legends Steve Spurrier, Danny Wuerffel and Cris Collinsworth. The person performs before home football games wearing Edmondson’s trademark yellow oxford shirt and orange-and-blue tie while the crowd chants, “Two bits, four bit, six bits, a dollar … all for the Gators, stand up and holler!”
“George’s passion and love for the Gators produced one of college football’s enduring traditions,” UF athletics director Scott Stricklin said. “The fact that Mr. Two Bits continues to this day speaks to the magnitude of his legacy at Florida. His loyalty and longstanding commitment to the Gators is a fantastic example of the passion that makes college athletics so great.”
Former UF athletics director Jeremy Foley, who helped start the Mr. Two Bits celebrity tradition, said Edmonson will be remembered fondly by Gator Nation.
“For generations of Florida football fans, doing the Two Bits cheer led by George was part of the fabric of their day cheering on the Gators. All of Gator Nation will remember George for his enthusiasm, dedication and love for Florida and how he willingly shared that love.”
Edmondson is survived by his wife, Jane, who said her family has a unique bond with UF.
“The Gator Nation has always meant so much to us, and George and I have loved being a part of it,” she said. “We were both made honorary alumni of the university, and it has always meant so much to us.”