Florida ending 'Gator bait' chant, university announces

Florida Gators cheerleaders cheers on during the second half against the Virginia Cavaliers in the 2019 Orange Bowl game at Hard Rock Stadium.
Photo credit Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sport

The University of Florida will no longer use it's popular "Gator Bait" cheer  at sporting events in addition to numerous other changes the school's president announced Thursday.        

In addition to committing to remove any monuments or namings "that UF can control that celebrate the Confederacy," Kent Fuchs, the University's President, said in a statement outlining the Florida's goal to be a part of "positive change against racism" the the cheer would be discontinued.

"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 wrote in the statement. "Accordingly University Athletics and the Gator Band will discontinue the use of the cheer."

Take a look at the full statement here.