It’s October and college football is in full swing in Gainesville, Florida. The University of Florida Gators football team may have a quarterback crisis, but its traditions are steadfast. The Gators have a storied 109-year football history that includes eight SEC championships, three national championships, and three Heisman-winning quarterbacks. UF boasts the 12th largest stadium in college football, nicknamed “The Swamp,” with 90,000 fans in regular attendance for home games. Along with a loyal fan base comes an extensive list of game day traditions. Obstructive sleep apnea doesn’t have to get in the way of your game day experience at UF. Here are six Gator traditions to help you prepare for the big day:
Gator Walk
Gator fans know how to walk the walk—literally. Hours before kickoff, thousands of fans line up outside of the stadium and form a walkway for the players to walk through as they enter the stadium. The walk continues across the field and into the locker room. Urban Meyer started the Gator Walk before the Wyoming game during his first season, but not even he could predict how quickly it would catch on. Chances are you’ll be up early and standing for hours, so if you’ve skimped on sleep studying for your midterms, travel light with your travel CPAP and battery.
The Cocktail Party
Gator fans can have a Josh Gordon-esque palate. That means a proclivity for alcohol… lots of it. It is college after all! Every year the Gators play the Georgia Bulldogs in a neutral-site game in Jacksonville. The weekend-long extravaganza has been affectionately dubbed “The World’s Largest Cocktail Party.” In an attempt to save face, both universities have tried to eliminate the moniker without much success. Since 1990, the Gators are 15-2 against Georgia in the game, proving once and for all that “liquid courage” is a real thing. Since alcohol exacerbates sleep apnea symptoms, your CPAP treatment will be key for your weekend recovery.
Gator Growl
For those of you who don’t know the difference between a first down and a touchdown, this one’s for you. Gator Growl, the largest student-run pep rally in the world, marks the culmination of UF’s homecoming week. Started in 1932, this tradition has morphed into an all-out entertainment fest, featuring performances from Bob Hope, Jay Leno, Bill Cosby, Daniel Tosh and Kevin Hart to name a few. If you want to enjoy Gator Growl, keep your CPAP from growling at you and regularly replace your filters and hose.
Mr. Two Bits
Mr. Two Bits, AKA George Edmondson, began this chant in 1949 at Florida Field. Legend has it Edmondson couldn’t stand his team being booed, so he started a chant to get the fans cheering. For 60 years, every home game Edmondson led Gators fans in his infamous chant, “Two-bits, Four-bits, Six-bits, a dollar. All for the Gators, Stand up and holler!” Echoing Edmondson’s winning attitude, ResMed created the Mirage FX so you don’t have to lose against sleep apnea every night! This nasal mask is a classic, just like Mr. Two Bits.
We Are the Boys
One of the longest running Gator traditions, also a fan-favorite, happens after the third quarter of every home game. 90,000 fans stand up, lock arms, and sway right to left and sing “We Are the Boys.” There’s no greater show of school spirited camaraderie than 90,000 fans, locked arm in arm, singing in unison. You’ll want to stick around for this one and belt it out with the team. Give your mouth a rest the night after this tradition with a nasal pillow mask— these masks only cover your nostrils for comfortable and claustrophobia-free sleep!
The Gator Chomp
The Gator Chomp is easily Florida’s most recognizable tradition, and one of the most widely known in college sports. The chomp is traditionally used as the band plays the “Jaws” theme song before every kickoff, after a big play or win, or just because you feel like chomping. As Steve Spurrier once said, “In the swamp, only Gators get out alive.” Studies show that CPAP patients can improve their quality of life by 96% with nightly CPAP treatments. That means you can watch Gator Nation take it to the house without conking out.
Don’t let obstructive sleep apnea get in the way of partaking in these classic game day traditions. With the right preparation and attitude, you won’t believe how great you feel. You can even show your Gator pride with the University of Florida Gator SkinIt Protector for your CPAP. With Easybreathe’s tips for success, you too can tailgate like a champ…or should we say CHOMP!
