Gators band director injured in attack

Man choked by Miami Hurricanes fan after Saturday’s season opener

The University of Florida Gators marching band director was injured Saturday evening by a University of Miami Hurricanes fan after the seasonopener in Orlando, according to a university spokesman.

After a soldout crowd at Camping World Stadium watched the Gators edge out the Hurricanes with a 24-20 victory, band members walked back to their bus when a female Miami fan tried to cut through the group, said UF spokesman Steve Orlando.

Director Jay Watkins “went out to try to stop this person and when he did, somebody else grabbed him behind in a chokehold and threw him on the pavement,” Orlando said.

Watkins sustained bumps and scrapes on his head and elbow, was treated by a paramedic and boarded the bus back to Gainesville.

“He’s going to be OK,” Orlando said.

The Orlando Police Department said Watkins declined to press charges but wanted the incident documented in a report.

“There was no description of the person who grabbed him given,” Lt Wanda Miglio said in a statement.

Authorities said none of the student band members were injured in the incident but a woman became upset and her nose bled.

“We certainly feel terrible about this happening to [Watkins] but his first concern was about the students’ safety,” Orlando said.

The Florida Gators took on the Miami Hurricanes Saturday night in front of a national TV audience for the kickoff to college football’s 150th season. The instate rivals faced off for the first time in six seasons and for only fifth time in the regular season in the past 32 years.