Florida’s fans bring back the “Gator Bait” chant during the Gators’ season-opening win over FAU. The cheer, which had been restricted, appears again in the stadium as the game begins.
In 2020, Florida ended the chant, citing concerns about “horrific historic racist imagery” linked to the phrase. The Athletic notes that the chant was used for years inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and became widely scrutinized during a broader nationwide racial reckoning. That context is cited as the reason the university moved to stop or limit it.
Across the two reports, the main difference is framing: one outlet emphasizes Florida’s decision and the stated reason for banning the chant, while the other highlights the chant’s long use by fans before it is removed and later returns. Both accounts agree on the earlier ban and Florida’s current decision to allow or reintroduce the cheer for this game.
