With two-a-day practices and the start of another grueling season on the horizon, the Gators took some time to have fun and give back to the community.
About 1,000 fans filed into Ben Hill Griffin Stadium to watch UF football players compete in strength and agility drills in the third annual Gators Charity Challenge.
“It wasn’t so much of a workout as it was an opportunity for them to get in front of the fans,” said Scott Holsopple, the assistant director of strength and conditioning.
The competition helped raise money for six different local charity organizations: March of Dimes, STOP! Children’s Cancer, Inc., American Cancer Society, Shands Cancer Hospital, American Heart Association and the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
The players were divided into six teams – each one represented a different organization. Duke Lemmens, Lorenzo Edwards, Brandon Antwine, Ahmad Black, Terron Sanders and A.J. Jones were named captains as each squad wore different colored shirts.
But in the end Edwards’ team, which represented STOP! Children’s Cancer, Inc., came out on top after competing in an obstacle course, farmer’s hold, sled push and tug of war contest.
“This is the fun stuff, this isn’t the hard stuff,” Lemmens said. “This is what we worked out all summer for – to show off our muscles to everybody.”
Jeff Demps, who ran the fastest 100-meter dash in the world earlier this year, did not run the top time in the obstacle course event. As he attempted to make a cut, his cleats gave way and he slipped before he could reach the end of the course.
Wide receiver Andre Debose and defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd were among the players that didn’t take part in the event because they had to make a trip home before practice started on Thursday.
“Tonight shows you the energy we have,” Lemmens said. “We really came out for a cause. This isn’t about us, it’s about the charities and I think we did a good job representing them.”
