I regret I can only give one like to this post.
I was there that day, and it was electric. I ran the old VCR at the apartment to record the Sunshine Network broadcast while I was there in person. I think a roommate may have taped over it. I've never seen that celebration replayed on TV. The game, of course--but not this celebration.
For 20 years, all I've had is my (fading) memory. Lawrence Wright's chant...and Spurrier asking us all to do "we're number one" so all the Gators in heaven who never lived to see the day could hear us (not a dry eye in the house at that point).
Oh, and when Danny proclaimed his love for Jennifer, about 15,000 other girls named Jennifer all swooned at once (true story, Jewish girls joined Fellowship of Christian Athletes just to meet Danny).
Actually being at the game was, of course, incredible. Beating your arch rival in a revenge rematch for your first MNC...and trouncing them. But this celebration in the Swamp was so special. I saw us win all 3 football championships, and attended all 3 celebrations. This one was, I can't think of another word. It was special.
We didn't know it was going to be big. We barely got seats (sunshine seats at the top of the North Endzone). We were shocked that so many alumni made the trip, even though there was no game. They packed the place. It wasn't loud or raucous like a regular game-day crowd. It didn't smell like bourbon and bbq. It was glorious but subdued, it felt magical, so different from the feeling at the end of the game itself. It was a sense of relief and accomplishment, a noble, quiet pride, and the air was thick with the warmth of Gator Love. That's the word I've been struggling to come up with. It was full of Gator Love. Like there were no strangers in the stadium that day. Remember Lawrence Wright's chant? He called our rivals Gatorbait but he ended with a clearly unscripted and heartfelt "I love y'all". He felt it. We all did. I'm giving myself chillbumps remembering.
Alex.