Image Credit: @JuddDavis/Twitter
The stars were out – in more ways than one – at Florida Gators football practice on Wednesday.
Now-retired former Gators coach Steve Spurrier, Oakland Raiders coach Jack Del Rio … and legendary actor Gene Hackman were all seen on the sidelines watching as Florida went through drills midway through its spring practice session.
After leaving South Carolina in the middle of last season, Spurrier has made his rounds visiting programs and attending college football events across the country, but it’s believed this is the first time he’s stopped by Gainesville, Florida.
Del Rio, of course, was in town to watch his son, redshirt sophomore quarterback Luke Del Rio, practice with the Gators. Jack Del Rio was in Boca Raton earlier in the week for NFL owners meetings and made the three-plus hour drive up to Gainesville to watch his son.
In tow with the elder Del Rio was Hackman, a two-time Academy Award-winning actor who also happens to be a family friend. (Hackman has not appeared in a film since 2004.)
At Gator practice today hangin with Coach Spurrier and Gene Hackman?!…now that's something I never thought I'd do. pic.twitter.com/JvRKYcv8pN
— Judd Davis (@JuddDavis) March 23, 2016
#Gators QB Luke Del Rio, father Jack, and family friend Gene Hackman…I expected to see 2 of them at practice. pic.twitter.com/F2xQ0LpZpM
— Scott Carter (@GatorsScott) March 23, 2016
According to FOX Sports‘ Alex Marvez, the Del Rio family has been tight with Hackman “since Del Rio’s playing days at Southern Cal in the early 1980s.” Marvez also notes that “the Gators are Hackman’s favorite college football team,” though that’s definitely questionable considering Hackman is a California native who also lived in Illinois, Iowa, New York and now New Mexico.
Either way, it was an interesting trio on the sideline watching Florida on Wednesday.
Photo Credit: Judd Davis/Twitter