Buffett is a Gators Fan

[phjim]

Jimmy Buffett doing the Gator chomp in the locker room after Florida's victory. A video is available at Youtube (Jimmy appears toward the end of the video).

From the Miami Herald: 'Bama native Buffett takes in Gator blowout and
<em>
Alabama native and musician Jimmy Buffett attended Florida's 56-6 victory against South Carolina.

Buffett was on the field after the game and even joined the Gators and coach Urban Meyer in a postgame locker-room celebration. When Meyer emerged from the Gators' football facility for his postgame news conference, Buffett's classic song Margaritaville could be heard blaring from the locker room's speakers.
</em>
From Florida Today: "Buffett enjoys Gators' big day"
<em>
"It's great to be back in Gainesville seeing the Gators playing this well," Buffett said, before heading into the Florida locker room. "It's been a long time. I like what Coach Meyer is doing here. This has just been a lot of fun tonight."

And then Buffett gave Meyer a thrill almost as big as his offense. He joined the Gators in the locker room. You see, Buffett is the only music he listens to -- ever. In his car, at home, at work.

And Buffett? Before exiting the locker room, he talked with Tebow.

"He said it was a pleasure meeting me and he loves watching me and hopefully we'll see him in Miami," Tebow said. "I was going to (ask him to sing) but I didn't."

Miami is the home of the national title game this season. Three more wins and Buffett promises to come and visit again. Meyer's favorite Buffett song is, "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere." If this keeps up, Jimmy better get his vocal chords ready.</em>

[Touch O Parrotdise]

here's another from ESPN.com:

Another inspiring performance from the Gators

November 15, 2008 10:10 PM

Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- There was a glow about Florida coach Urban Meyer as he stood at the postgame podium Saturday.

His No. 4-ranked Gators had just shellacked South Carolina 56-6 at the Swamp, remaining college football's hottest team and handing Steve Spurrier the most lopsided loss of his illustrious head coaching career.

Admittedly, Meyer was awed -- by his team and by who was in the Gators' locker room afterward.

"Jimmy Buffett was in our locker room. Did you know that?" beamed Meyer, a huge Buffett fan.

"That's way up there. I don't get awed by many people, but that's a hell of a deal, man."

This just in: He's got a hell of a football team, too.

As Meyer answered questions about another awe-inspiring performance from his Gators, Buffett music could be heard playing in the Gators' locker room.

Buffett told the Florida team that he's anxious for the Gators (9-1, 7-1 SEC) to get to Miami for the BCS National Championship Game so that he could play for them.

That might sound a bit presumptuous given that Florida still has three games left to play, including the SEC Championship Game matchup with Alabama.

Then again, if you've watched the Gators play in their last six games, maybe it's not presumptuous at all.

Meyer said it's been like watching sharks in the water during a six-game winning streak that's seen Florida average 49.5 points and beat teams by an average margin of 39 points.

"Yeah, and we're swarming," Florida middle linebacker Brandon Spikes said.

The Gamecocks (7-4, 4-4 SEC) came into the game ranked third nationally in total defense and hadn't given up more than 24 points in a game all season. The Gators had 28 less than four minutes into the second quarter Saturday.

South Carolina defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson said it was the most complete team he's coached against this season "by far."

Florida scored its first two touchdowns thanks to a pair of interceptions by South Carolina quarterback Chris Smelley, the first one returned 12 yards for a touchdown by Spikes. The Gators' third touchdown came after the Gamecocks butchered a throwback lateral on a kickoff return.

Florida's long snapper, James Smith, was there to recover at the 1-yar line.

That's how it's been going lately for the Gators, who have scored 30 or more points against all of their SEC regular-season opponents for the first time in school history.

"I think they were embarrassed by the way they played at the end of the season last year," said Meyer, asked what's fueling this team right now. "They believe there's a lot of talent on this team. I don't see the selfish garbage I saw last year. They all block for each other. They all care about each other. The chemistry on this team borders on the phenomenal."

So does the performance.

Percy Harvin had 167 of the Gators' season-high 346 yards rushing on eight carries. He had touchdown runs of 80 and 26 yards. Jeffery Demps also had a 38-yard touchdown run, and Deonte Thompson caught a 46-yard touchdown pass from Tim Tebow.

"We're always at our best when we're not trying to force-feed one guy the ball," Florida offensive coordinator Dan Mullen said. "We have plays where we're tying to get Percy the ball. But in the big picture of the game, we're getting into the flow and we're just calling offensive plays and whoever touches it ... we feel pretty good about it."

In other words, if the Gators were putting right now on a golf course, the cup would probably look about 10 feet wide.

Meyer acknowledged that he'd never been around a six-game stretch quite like this. Spurrier said there was no question in his mind that this Florida team is better than the 2006 team that won the national championship.

"That team was a national championship team," said Meyer, naturally not ready to go there with so much football left to be played. "I'm not disagreeing with coach (Spurrier). We'll make that decision as we keep going."

One thing's for sure, though. Meyer likes the way this football team is going about it.

"I admire their professionalism. I admire the way they approach practice," Meyer said. "They're acting like a bunch of grown men, and it's fun to coach guys like that."

Meanwhile, his players were trying to get a grip on just who this Buffett fellow was.

"That was my first time ever hearing of him," Spikes said innocently. "Somebody told me he sang Margarita-something."

[Dezdmona]

Jimmy Buffett hangs out with Florida Gators coach Urban Meyer on sideline

GAINESVILLE — It's the only present Urban Meyer ever wants. Every year.

So for Meyer, Florida's 50-point beatdown of South Carolina was almost secondary to having singer Jimmy Buffett on the sideline as his special guest.

Buffet was in the postgame locker room, and you could hear Margaritaville blaring on the sound system.

"In all seriousness, that's way up there," a smiling Meyer said. "And I don't get awed by many people. That's a hell of a deal, man. You guys don't believe me."

To get the full understanding of this, you have to know Meyer. He proudly proclaims that Buffett is the only music he listens to and once said his dream date with his wife — before the children were born — would be a private concert with Buffett in his back yard. (He lists anything with the family as his ideal, now.) The two met at the Super Bowl in Miami a few years ago.

"We've been inviting him for three years," said Shelley Meyer, Urban's wife. "Urban's only birthday wish every year is to see a Jimmy Buffett concert, so we go see him in concert. It was great to have him here."

Funny thing is, the Gator players were oblivious.

"I didn't really know who he was, but coach loves him so he must be a pretty good singer," WR/RB Percy Harvin said.

"I didn't know him," LB Brandon Spikes said. "He sings margarita something, right?"

They may not know who he is, but they liked something he said.

"He said it's a pleasure meeting me, he loves watching me and hopefully, we'll see him in Miami," QB Tim Tebow said.

For Buffett, it was also a special night.

"It's great to be back in Gainesville seeing the Gators playing this well," he said. "I like what Coach Meyer is doing here. This has been a lot of fun, tonight."

By the way, if you're wondering Meyer's favorite Buffett song?

"It's Five O'Clock Somewhere," Meyer said.

[flipflopgirl]

Great article!!!

[Capt.Flock]

Great article!!!

not if you are a buckeye fan

[flipflopgirl]

Great article!!!

not if you are a buckeye fan

[TommyBahama]

Sounds Like Jimmy may be the Half time act at the National Championship Game!!

[SOASOAS]

Great article!!!

not if you are a buckeye fan

OSU ~ UF's favorite doormat.

[aealderm]

Great article!!!

not if you are a buckeye fan

OSU ~ UF's favorite doormat.

41-14!

[PartofthePhlock]

Great article!!!

not if you are a buckeye fan