Carefree Farr honors Petty, energizes fans
UF long-snapper walked on in 2015, and has not missed a game since
GAINESVILLE — Ryan Farr performs one job each day in relative obscurity for the Florida Gators.
The team’s fun-loving long-snapper has found ways to keep himself, teammates and now fans entertained.
Farr’s twist on Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down” between the third and fourth quarters at the Swamp has become a smash hit.
During Saturday’s comeback win against South Carolina, ESPN cameras caught the UF senior shredding the air guitar on the sideline, much to the crowd’s delight.
“I mean, I only snap and I do like punts and field goals, so you really can’t bring extra juice,” Farr said. “So we’re just trying to have fun and bring other kids on the sidelines up and just kind of get the fans excited, too. Just like, messing around, man, just trying to have fun out there, cause it’s real serious; when I’m on the field I’m real serious.
“But I really just like to have fun with football.”
Farr has had more fun with the Gators than he ever could have imagined. He walked on in 2015 and has lined up in every game since then — a total of 48 appearances entering his final home game Saturday against Idaho.
“It’s crazy. Everybody says it flies by and it really does,” Farr said. “And I always say I’m really going to miss the football aspect, but our locker room, it’s just like you can’t get that anywhere else. I’m going to miss not only the players on the team, but the staff.
“Just four years, you create relationships with like all your friends. And then, it’s just like it’s over.”
Farr, who hails from Henderson, Nev., is sure to be remembered for his carefree style and sense of humor.
During Florida’s Fan Day in August, Farr put on a disguise to see how well his teammates knew him, managing to secure several sign autographs before revealing his identity.
Farr, though, is in his element during the Tom Petty tribute. Farr plays the guitar and is a fan of Slash from Guns N’ Roses.
When UF decided to honor Petty, a Gainesville native, by playing one of his hits, Farr and his fellow specialists saw an opportunity to shine. Farr plays guitar, another player drums and long-snapper Jacob Tilghman is on vocals.
“We have a whole band — an air band,” Farr said.
Backup punter Jon Gould served as a cameraman — using a football on his shoulder — during the South Carolina game.
Farr did not initially realize actual cameras were
filming him, but once he did, he made sure to ham it up.
“I was like, ‘Oh, it’s game time now, I better start really performing,’ ” Farr said. “And then after they come up to me and I blew a kiss at the end. My grandma actually called me and she’s like, ‘I thought that kiss was for me.’
“And I was like, ‘Yeah, you’re right, it was for you.’ Yeah, she called me.”
Farr’s “Grandma Dimas” was more impressed than coach Dan Mullen.
Mullen did not seem to mind the Gators trailed South Carolina 31-21 at the time, but he suggested the routine — complete with a jumping leg kick and behind-the-back move — needed some work.
“I don’t know what behind
the back; I wasn’t impressed,” Mullen said. “The leg part was good, but the behind the back, I think he lost it there.”
Farr took the criticism in stride and vowed to improve. He will have ample opportunity.
“Those guys … they get a lot of free time I would say,” receiver Josh Hammond said. “And during their free time, they definitely take advantage.”
Mullen agreed but is fine with Farr and Co. letting loose as long as they show up on Saturdays.
“I’m like, just make sure you take care of your business,” Mullen said. “Have fun.”