Tom Petty Day continues celebration of Gainesville icon

GAINESVILLE — From Tom Petty’s death at age 67 a new tradition was born for Florida football.

The school elevated the presence of the legendary musician from Gainesville during Saturday night’s visit from LSU during the inaugural “Tom Petty Day.”

Typically, fans stand up with glowing cellphones raised, between the third and fourth quarter to sing along with “I Won’t Back Down.”

The Petty classic followed the customary singing and swaying accompanying “We Are the Boys of Old Florida.”

The pairing of old and new began Oct. 7, 2017, during the Gators’ visit from LSU, a 17-16 loss five days after Petty’s fatal heart attack. The Petty tribute was the big winner and has since been a staple of the game day experience at the Swamp.

“It’s unbelievable that now 90-plus thousand people sing our dad’s song here at home games,” Adria Petty, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame musician’s daughter, told UF’s Web site.

The Gators make a point to welcome LSU to a Swamp seething with passion and energy from Florida’s fan base.

In 2018, the school inducted legendary quarterback Tim Tebow into the elite Ring of Honor during a dramatic 27-19 win against the Tigers.

In Gainesville, Petty might be even bigger than Tebow despite leaving town in the mid-1970s for Los Angeles to become a rock-androll legend.

Petty has roots in his hometown, where he and his band Mudcrutch got their start before changing the name to the Heartbreakers.

Petty attended Gainesville High and spent a summer working as groundskeeper at UF.

The school will award Petty in May with an honorary doctorate in music.

Petty’s immense catalogue of hit songs has universal appeal.

First-year Gators coach Billy Napier was incredulous when asked if he was familiar with Petty’s work.

“Absolutely I’m a fan. Are you kidding me?,” Napier said.

As for his favorites? “Long list. I’ve got Pandora in my office,” he replied. Feel free to come check it out one day.”

Assistant men’s basketball coach Kevin Hovde has become an even bigger fan since learning Petty is from Gainesville after Todd Golden and his staff arrived in March.

“That’s probably the biggest thing,” Hovde told the Orlando

Sentinel. “I’ve always liked him and listened to him, the hits. Now being down here and knowing he’s been in Gainesville, I’ve been jamming to him in my car — not going to lie.”

Leading up to “Tom Petty Day,” UF partnered with the Tom Petty Estate to launch a capsule collection celebrating the singer’s connection to the school and his hometown.

All proceeds from the sales of Tom Petty Day X Florida Collection merchandise will go to underserved communities in Gainesville. Kids Count and Family Promise are this year’s recipients.

“Tom Petty and his music has become ingrained in the game day experience at The Swamp and serves as a community building rally cry for Gator fans,” UF athletic director Scott Stricklin said in a statement.