Without Percy Harvin, history for the Florida Gators football program might look a little different. From touchdowns to SEC Championships to BCS National Championships, the electric playmaker helped create some special memories that fans in Gainesville still talk about today.
Although quarterback Tim Tebow got most of the accolades back then, including the Heisman Trophy, and head coach Urban Meyer got a lot of credit— and rightfully so — it was Harvin who helped make life easier for the Gators. He was a prized recruit out of high school and worth the price of admission while donning the the orange and blue at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Harvin's playing days are over. He left Florida early for the 2009 NFL Draft and enjoyed a nice professional career, including winning Super Bowl XLVIII, before retiring following the 2016 season. However, he still returns to his former school on a frequent basis and will be a superstar once again come Saturday night.
When the Gators host the Florida State Seminoles, the former All-American wide receiver will serve as the honorary Mr. Two Bits ahead of the rivalry game.
Percy Harvin Serves as Mr. Two Bits
That's right, one of the most electric players in NCAA college football history is returning to "The Swamp" to pump up the University of Florida crowd before the FSU game.
So get ready, Gator fans. One of the greatest football players in program history is coming back to get everyone reason for a home game kickoff. Harvin is ready to honor George Edmondson — famously known as Mr. Two Bits — who passed away last July.
"That's honestly one of the bigger reasons I wanted to do it. I figured there was no bigger fan than Mr. Two Bits, cheering us on, and that's probably the reason I feel honored doing it. Mr. Two Bits, he didn't go to school there, he didn't get paid to do it, he didn't receive anything for it. It was really just a fan cheering for his team.
"I think just to be able to follow someone who did it just for the passion, for the love of the game, I think there is no bigger game to come out there and show my gratitude and to try and get the fan base pumped up than against one of our biggest rivals."
— Former Gator Football WR Percy Harvin
With losses to the LSU Tigers and Georgia Bulldogs, the Florida football team won't be playing in the SEC Championship Game this season. However, winning this rivalry football game is important, and you better believe the stadium will be packed to get them ready for a big-time bowl game.
Whether it was against that team from Tallahassee or a big-time SEC football matchup, Mr. Two Bits was always there. Percy Harvin knows that, and it's why he's making his return to help the legacy live on.
