Mr. Two Bits’ family to serve in his honorary role at Florida’s 2019 home opener

By Michael Phillips
September 3, 2019
Mr. Two Bits’ family to serve in his honorary role at Florida’s 2019 home opener
Football

Image Credit: UAA

George Edmondson will always be known as the University of Florida’s greatest cheerleader. From 1949-2008, he served as Mr. Two Bits for the Florida Gators football team, leading Ben Hill Griffin Stadium with his iconic cheer before every home game. This year, his family will get the unique opportunity to honor him at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Edmondson, then 86, retired after 60 years following Florida’s final home game in 2008 against his alma mater, The Citadel.

The cheer has lived on since Edmondson’s retirement as Albert and Alberta took the reigns, and in 2013, Florida started having famous alumni — along with occasional boosters and fans — lead the cheer before each home game. 

Steve Spurrier, Danny Wuerffel, Chris Collinsworth, Lito Sheppard, Caeleb Dressel, Dara Torres and the 2006-07 national champion men’s basketball teams are just some who have been featured as the honorary Mr. Two Bits since Edmondson’s retirement.

Edmondson, 97, passed away in July. His family held a celebration of life two days later as opposed to a somber funeral at his request because he wanted an upbeat farewell and not a day full of sorrows. 

To honor Edmonson following his passing this summer, Florida announced Tuesday that the honorary Mr. Two Bits for the first home game this season will be none other than Edmonson’s own family. 

Edmondson’s three grandson’s, along with his five great grandchildren, will lead the “Two Bits” cheer before Florida takes the field against Tennessee-Martin. 

“I haven’t been to a game since 2012, so I’ve missed the ‘Swamp,’ and I’m sure it’ll be bitter sweet without granddad,” said Robert Edmondson, 31. “But it’s going to be really cool, too.”

Earlier this summer, ESPN listed the “Two Bits” cheer as the eighth-best college football tradition on their top 25 list. It has become iconic thanks solely to Edmondson. The outfit is iconic, the cheer is as well, and the man himself has become a Gators legend. 

There is sure to be plenty of of yellow shirts and orange and blue ties this Saturday for the game, and there couldn’t be a better ode to the greatest Florida cheerleader of all time than having his own blood leading the cheer he made famous.

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