Why One Fan Is Still Thankful to be a Gator: It'll All Work Out, Just Like The Ralphie Parker Family

“How much goodwill had Mullen earned for himself entering the 2021 season? Most of us figured quite a bit – he had turned UF from a joke at the end of McElwain’s tenure to one that could legitimately be considered among the handful of teams in the national conversation."

It was a good day when I met Dan Mullen and got this photo taken at Spurrier's Gridiron Grille.

Photo by Dan Bond

By DAN BOND

GatorBait Member/Dallas

It’s dark and uncertain times now for the Florida football team, as I write this Dan Mullen is gone. Who would have called this at the beginning of the season? With it so close to Thanksgiving I’m reminded of a famous Turkey scene from Christmas Story, “When our joy is at its zenith, when all is most right with the world, the most unthinkable disasters descend upon us.” The next door neighbors dogs come in and take away the family Turkey, it’s gone. Like the losses descended upon Mullen and took him away. The Ralphie Parker family worked it out at the end and so will the Gators.

I’m Thankful for the athletic program. There has been a lot to celebrate recently. I haven’t had the pleasure to stay in Gainesville for an extended time, living in Dallas. So when I was there all weekend for the Alabama football game, I looked around, naturally. I saw construction everywhere. That way overdue football facility. All the new structures on campus. The fabulous new baseball and softball stadiums. It’s getting there. I’ve been to many other SEC campuses and it’s nice to see Florida catch up.

I’m Thankful for all the success the University had at the Summer Olympics. Some 31 former athletes won 17 medals. Third most of any school and would have been seventeenth beat if UF was a country. Who will forget Caeleb Dressel winning five gold metals? Making him the fifth American to win five in a single Olympic Games since 1970. There were Gators to watch almost every day. Michelle Moultrie; Aubree Munro and Kelsey Stewart bringing home Silver in the anticipated return of Softball to the Olympics.

Sister Grace Palaia and I at Florida-Georgia game -- always a good day. (Dan Bond photo)

I’m thankful for those Diamond Gators. Softball national championship in 2014 and 2015. Runner-up three times. SEC regular season or tournament champions six of the last seven years. Baseball national champions in 2017, runner up twice. 21 straight NCAA tournament appearances and eight College World Series since 2005. How fun were those deep runs for softball and baseball.

I really got into softball when I moved closer to Oklahoma City and attended the Women’s College World Series in 2008. If you haven’t gone, make the trip. If you haven’t been to a Gator softball game, get out the schedule and GO! You’re missing out.

I’m Thankful for all those other sports. Tennis winning it all for the first time this year after 89 years. Florida beating the defending national champion Texas and the No. 2 seed Baylor. The men’s swimming team winning its ninth straight SEC Championship, best for third longest in SEC History.

The gymnastics team and their undefeated run the last two years, unfortunately short of a national championship. Robbed by COVID in 2020 and a freak injury to Trinity Thomas in 2021. Trinity scoring a 39.9 vs LSU with a team score of 198.15. Highest score in UF History, fifth best in NCAA History. Again, if you have not gone to a meet. GO NOW! It’s a great show and something, as a fan, you can be proud of.

I’m Thankful most of all, for the people, the friends and the memories every year. Whether it’s the Keyontae Johnson recovery and the game ball he received after that huge FSU win on November 14th. The 34 out of the last 36 years at the World’s Largest Cocktail Party full Florida and Georgia family and friends. The road trips, Gator Nation taking each other in. Especially meeting face to face Buddy Martin and all the GNK crew on Alabama weekend.

There’s many things to be Thankful for when you’re a Gator Fan. Go Gators from Dallas, Texas!

Joining GatorBait gang at an Alabama-Florida tailgate. That's me sitting, second from the left.