NFL News NFL News, Reports and Updates
Unknown date; Jacksonville, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Florida Gators defensive end (42) Jevon Kearse in action against the Georgia Bulldogs at Alltel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports
Former Florida football defensive lineman Jevon Kearse is set to serve as the honorary Mr. Two Bits for the game against No. 19 Miami, the University of Florida announced on Tuesday.
Mr. Two Bits is a Florida football tradition that dates back to the 1940s. The title is given to a prominent figure who is invited to lead the crowd in a cheer during the Gators’ football games.
The cheer involves the entire stadium chanting “Two bits! Four bits! Six bits! A dollar! All for the Gators, stand up and holler!”
Jevon Kearse’s Football Career
Kearse, who was nicknamed “the Freak”, played for the Gators from 1996-98, was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 1998 and was named First-Team All-SEC in back-to-back seasons (1997-98).
Over his three seasons with Florida, Kearse had 145 tackles including 34.5 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, six forced fumbles and an interception.
In 1996, Kearse got his first playing time as a redshirt-freshman under former head coach Steve Spurrier. That season, the Gators went on to win their first national championship in program history.
Kearse was drafted in 1999 by the Tennessee Titans with the 16th-overall pick and immediately took the NFL by storm.
That year, Kearse won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award, was named First-team All-Pro, made the Pro Bowl and was on the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
Kearse also set the NFL record for most sacks in a season by a rookie (14.5).
Kearse went on to play for the Philadelphia Eagles from 2004-07 and finished his career back where he started on the Titans from 2008-09.
Florida’s season opener for 2024
The Florida Gators and No. 19 Miami Hurricanes square off on Aug. 31 in…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/florida-football-announces-honorary-mr-174236079.html
Author : Gators Wire
Publish date : 2024-08-28 17:42:36
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
