UF president Kent Fuchs announced Thursday the popular cheer would be banned at sporting events games due to the “horrific racist imagery” associated with the phrase.
“While I know of no evidence of racism associated with our ‘Gator Bait’ cheer at UF sporting events, there is horrific historic racist imagery associated with the phrase,” Fuchs wrote in a letter to the university community. “Accordingly University Athletics and the Gator Band will discontinue the use of the cheer.”
Fuchs noted the death of George Floyd nearly three weeks ago was the impetus to address any instances of racism and inequity on the UF campus.