Thanks to Gator fan Dustin Smith, Feleipe Franks got to walk out of the Swamp with a big smile for the second straight time after a win over Tennessee. Photo credit: Nick De La Torre, Gator Country
This past week couldn’t have been particularly enjoyable for Feleipe Franks after he suffered a season ending ankle injury. But thankfully, the Gator fan base displayed its warm side yesterday in his return to the Swamp- and gave him something to smile about.
While fans have been showing their support of Franks on social media, Florida fan and alum Dustin Smith (@dustinthenow17 on Twitter) decided to take a more personalized and non-virtual approach. And in doing so, he left a lasting impression on the Gators’ original 2019 starting quarterback.
First, Smith designed a “get well soon” card for Franks on photoshop, blew it up to a massive size, printed it out, and took it to the Swamp yesterday along with a Sharpie. There, Smith collected signatures from several dozen Gator fans before the game, and held onto it until Florida had finished its 34-3 dismantling of Tennessee. At that point, he raced down to the band in time for its playing of the alma mater and fight song, and got the poster into the hands of another player, who gave it to Franks.
The original banner file, sent to me by Dustin Smith.
The actual banner, after being signed by several dozen Gator fans.
Franks, moments after being handed the banner by another player.
Franks with the banner, a few feet from the tunnel to the locker room and with an obvious smile on his face. Photo credit: Nick De La Torre, Gator Country
Special thanks to all the Gator fans who signed the poster to sweeten what had to be a bittersweet day for Franks, and hats off to Dustin on the engineering and execution of his plan.
