"While I know of no evidence of racism associated with our 'Gator Bait' cheer at UF sporting events, there is horrific historic racist imagery associated with the phrase," Fuchs said. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, Download the TMZ App on the Apple App Store, Download the TMZ App on the Google Play Store. GATOR_BAIT_504's Live PS4 Broadcast Torrey Riley. ... At Hands of L.A. County Sheriff's Deputy, ©2020 EHM PRODUCTIONS,INC. Fuchs said in addition to stopping all that ... the school will take even more steps to ensure racial justice -- vowing to remove any UF-controlled "monuments or namings" that have ties to the Confederacy. Waiting for your permission to load the comments. The chant has historically been used by fans to antagonize Florida's opponents, but they'll have to settle for "We Are the Boys" instead. Please try again later. of Florida is pulling the plug on its famous "Gator Bait" chant ... with the school's president saying its racist ties make it no longer acceptable for UF to use. Black babies were used as alligator bait in the Sunshine State as recently as 1923, and the term "alligator bait" was used as a racial slur referring to black children from Florida. of Florida will no longer receive labor from inmates ... adding, "the symbolism of inmate labor is incompatible with our university. At UF sporting events ... the band would play some tunes and pause so the entire crowd could chant in unison, "Gator Bait!". "Accordingly, university athletics and the Gator Band will discontinue the use of the cheer.". Although it's doubtful many Florida fans who have participated in the chant through the years are aware, the "Gator Bait" chant has been criticized by some for its racial undertones. "While I know of no evidence of racism associated with our 'Gator Bait' cheer at UF sporting events," Fuchs said, "there is horrific historic racist imagery associated with the phrase. If you're unfamiliar ... America's past use of "gator bait" truly is disturbing -- reportedly, white men would use African-American babies to lure gators out of swamps so they could hunt them more easily for their skin. Like us on Facebook to see similar stories, Minnesota Covid-19 survey halted after team members report racial slurs, state officials say, University of Florida does away with 'Gator Bait' chant, © Provided by West Palm Beach-Ft. Pierce WFLX-TV. ", "Accordingly University Athletics and the Gator Band will discontinue the use of the cheer.". The Univ. In a statement released Thursday ... President Kent Fuchs axed the popular cheer -- which has been screamed by thousands of fans weekly during Gators college football games over the years. The Univ. "We know that we cannot undo lifetimes of injustice and racism, but we believe we can make progress -- in education, in advancing truth, reconciliation and justice, and in anti-racism, equality and working to eradicate inequities.". ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Just last week, the University of Florida rescinded an admissions offer to a prospective student who posted a racial comment on social media. The long-held chant of the Florida Gators is going away. More from West Palm Beach-Ft. Pierce WFLX-TV, College football star calls out coach, then says team 'moving forward'. Goodbye, "Gator Bait." Rating is available when the video has been rented. RELATED: College football star calls out coach, then says team 'moving forward'. The long-held chant of the Florida Gators is going away. The move comes in the aftermath of George Floyd's death in Minneapolis, spurring a nationwide reexamination of racial injustice. The school president also said the Univ. University of Florida President Kent Fuchs said Thursday that the school will do away with the cheer during athletic events. © 2020 EHM PRODUCTIONS,INC. Show full articles without "Continue Reading" button for {0} hours. Get TMZ breaking news sent right to your browser! Connect with friends faster than ever with the new Facebook app. ", "It is past time for UF to commit and engage in this challenging, uncomfortable, transformational work," Fuchs said. This feature is not available right now.