Gator Fans Applaud Tebow, Dolfans Not So Much
MIAMI GARDENS (CBS4) – As fans entered Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens early Sunday afternoon, it was hard to tell if they were headed to an NFL or college football game.
"Driving down the highway it felt like I was going to a Gator home game," said Big 105.9 radio deejay Paul Castronovo. "It was surreal."
During halftime the Miami Dolphins honored the 2008 University of Florida Gators National Championship Team which won title in Sun Life Stadium. The presentation brought a lot of people to the game, like Patrick Rosnack, who normally wouldn't have gone.
"I think it's a big business decision for the team. It sells tickets. There is a big Gator contingent in South Florida. I think it was a little bit of marketing genius. I haven't been to a game this year," said Rosack.
Not everyone, however, thought it was a good idea since the day before the Gator's rivals, The Miami Hurricanes, played on the field.
"To invite our main rival in here to celebrate their championship, it's a little bit sketchy," said UM fan Gabriel Ibarhim.
Another house splitter, if you will, was former Gator Tim Tebow in the quarterback spot for the Denver Broncos. This made it harder for die hard Gator/Dolfans to figure out who to cheer for.
During the halftime presentation, the 2008 championship team took the field, along with coach Urban Meyer, to a mix of applause and boos.
When the Broncos fell behind 15 points Gator fans like Mike Contado said he never lost the faith that Tebow would pull off a win.
"He's number one," said Contado, "He'll win the game all by himself"
And sure enough he did just that – well maybe not all by himself. The Broncos beat the Dolphins 18-15 in overtime.
