Before Florida hits the road to face Tennessee in Week 4, the Gators have a third-straight home game in the Swamp on Saturday. Another home contest means that another honorary [autotag]Mr. Two Bits[/autotag] needs to be designated, and the UAA has announced that former Gator tennis star [autotag]Ben Shelton[/autotag] will take over the role in Week 3.
Shelton is just 19 years old, but he turned pro after accomplishing nearly all there is to offer in the collegiate world. He was a key member of the 2021 national championship team and claimed the singles championship in 2022.
He made his professional debut at the U.S. Open, falling in five sets during the opening round, but he’ll play in at least six more tournaments before the end of the year.
Over the first two weeks of the season, Florida went with some vets in the Two-Bits role. Legendary wide receiver [autotag]Anthony Reidel[/autotag] and track and field coach [autotag]Mike Holloway[/autotag] served in Weeks 1 and 2, respectively, but Shelton is a change of pace.
As young as he is, Shelton never got to actually see Mr. George E. Edmondson Jr. do his thing, but the UAA says that he’s been brought up to speed on things. It’s also believed that Shelton is the youngest person to serve in the role since the tradition started in 2013.
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