Florida Gators Football: A bridge to history

It is a modern marvel of iron and steel, pieced together in an intricate design that inspires both awe and fear.

It extends 3,844 feet long, over the flowing waters of the St. Johns River, and rising boldly yet gracefully out of the current — 161 feet high — reaching towards the Florida sky above.

It gleams in a shade that bespeaks not only of the coastal region it calls home, but also of the stadium to which it helps serve as a pilgrimage for so many fans.

As the sun dips towards the horizon each evening and light sneaks across the reflective waters of the St. Johns to frame this mammoth once more, it is then we see the engineering feat in all of its beauty. It is also then we can step back and truly appreciate its importance. It is the Isaiah D. Hart Bridge in Jacksonville, Florida and it is here, woven into the tresses and beams as if apart of it’s makeup, we find the excitement that gives fuel to the Florida-Georgia rivalry.

Much is made of the festivities and carnival like atmosphere throughout the First Coast preceding this game all week long. They begin as soon as city officials will allow on Monday and last until long after the stadium lights have gone dark as fans throw a Cocktail Party in a fashion that few can match. As the cars and trucks and RV’s and tailgates pour into the river city, excitement becomes palpable, eagerness becomes tangible and there is a vein of enthusiasm in every aspect of the week’s activities.

But this party, or week of getting geared up for kick-off is a tradition that is merely a by product of the game, since it is the game that has built the foundation of passion and loyalty and hatred that has made it one of the most anticipated Saturday’s every fall. And all of the extra revelry is merely for the fans.

Back in both Gainesville and Athens, the players are still preparing, trying to block out any hype that might distract from their concentration. They’ve been around, they know how important this game is, but they must keep their interest in check in order to remain focused

Until they cross the bridge, that is.

Traveling at 55 mph, it takes approximately two and a half minutes to cross the Hart Bridge. To play the game with all of the fire it warrants, Florida players take that time, rumbling down the northbound slope to fully soak in what they’re apart of.

Florida Defensive Coordinator D.J. Durkin understands the importance of those moments.

“I think if your juices don’t get flowing when you come over that bridge in the early afternoon there before the game, I don’t know what would make that happen.”

Offensive lineman Chaz Green echo’s his coach saying, “It’s crazy, you go over that bridge and all of a sudden you see a bunch of gator fans, a bunch of Georgia fans and it’s just crazy because you don’t see it until you get all the way over the bridge and it’s like your heart starts pumping and you finally know it’s about that time.”

For linebacker Dante Fowler, he takes a quick moment to appreciate the structure, “You go over the bridge, first of all it’s a nice bridge”; and then glances a little farther to what’s just beyond.

“Just being able to see a NFL football stadium that you’re about to play in, seeing the cocktail party tailgating thing going on, seeing the Georgia fans and you know how they react. So I like things like that…it’s really emotional being able to see the blue and red split”.

The experience is humbling enough to stick with guys as the years pass. Former Gator quarterback Shane Matthews (1990-92) remembers his right of passage over the bridge with a smile and a laugh that can only come with the self-assurance gained by beating Georgia every year he started.

“Oh with all the motor homes and RVs and fans everywhere, people throwing stuff at your bus, it was cool. Georgia people were throwing beer cans, Jack Daniel’s bottles, rocks, you name it,” Matthews recalled.

Former defensive back and wide receiver Matt Jackson (2000-03) first would like everyone to remember his record versus the Bulldogs; “I’m undefeated against Georgia!” and then agrees that it’s not until the bus has reached the high point of the bridge that the game, and therefore a win, even becomes a possibility.

“That’s when it kinda hits you like oh my gosh are you serious. When you come down you see RV on top of RV, crowded together and you’re just like oh my gosh.”

While these two stately schools have met on the gridiron for over a century, each one of those years has brought with them new teams, new memories, and new games to join the old. One thing that remains the same year in and year out though is the path they must follow to get there. That path goes directly over a certain bridge.

So as you soak up the sun and fun that only the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party can provide, becoming hyped for the game in your own way, look to the south, just behind Ever Bank Field, for a convey of buses crossing under the teal trellis’s. Inside of those busses are the individuals at the heartbeat of the whole day. They can see you, and soon you will see them because as they make their way across the Isaiah D. Hart Bridge that means the boys have arrived and it’s finally time for Florida-Georgia.

Kassidy Hill
Born into a large family of sports fanatics and wordsmiths alike, sports journalism came natural to Kassidy. It’s more than a passion; it’s simply a part of who she is. Hailing from Alabama in the midst of typical Iron Bowl family, she learned very quickly just how deep ties in the SEC could run. She came to Gainesville after college to pursue a degree as television sports reporter but quickly realized she missed writing. She’s excited to now marry the two aspects for Gator fans. She loves Jesus, her daddy and football; wants to be Billy Donovan’s best friend and firmly believes that offensive lineman are the best people on earth. Follow her on Twitter @KassidyGHill

3 COMMENTS

  1. Win this game against a long time rival and suddenly you’ve started to rebuild the foundation. Even keeping it respectable at this juncture would be a win…Create some offense, keep fighting, keep it clean and make some memories. Play like champions. Go Gators.