Did You Know...

The Gator Bowl’s long and glorious history stems back to New Year's Day of 1946, when Wake Forest bested South Carolina, 26-14. In 1955, the Gator Bowl became the first collegiate bowl game to be televised coast to coast, and it has been part of America's holiday season ever since.

Still, why stay home and watch the Gator Bowl indoors, when you could head for sunny Jacksonville, Florida? See if you can pick out future NFL players from the rosters. After all, the Gator Bowl was a step in the careers of guys like Dan Marino, Michael Vick, Earl Campbell, Thurman Thomas, Archie Manning, Larry Csonka, and Peyton Manning, to name but a few. Over the decades, some 175 first-team All-Americans have participated.

The Gator Bowl not only provides first-rate athletic competition but also spurs the local economy and raises funds for charity. Its special focus is kids, as can be seen in many of the events surrounding the game. These include a 5K Run in which donors have the option to 'Run For A Child' who is a patient at Wolfson Children's Hospital, the Winn-Dixie Hometown Gator Bowl Parade preceded by a Little Red Wagon Pull, a kid-friendly tailgate party. Local businesses make tickets to the game available to youth organizations, local children participate in a pre-game dance show, and kids take over the field right after the game for rounds of flag football.