Gator Chomp
Encyclopedia
The Gator Chomp is a gesture made by fans and players of the University of Florida
to show their support of their Florida Gators
sports teams. The chomp originated in 1981.
The Gator Chomp is done by fully extending one's arms, one over the other, in front of the body with the palms facing each other. The arms are then moved apart and together to symbolize an alligator's mouth. This gesture is often used to jeer and intimidate opposing players and fans by Florida fans and athletes. The Gator Chomp is typically accompanied by the Pride of the Sunshine
, Florida's marching band
, playing the two-note shark motif
from the film Jaws.
Barack Obama's wife, Michelle Obama
, performed the Gator Chomp during a 2008 campaign visit to Gainesville.
University of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
to show their support of their Florida Gators
Florida Gators
The Florida Gators are the intercollegiate sports teams that represent the University of Florida located in Gainesville, Florida. The "Lady Gators" is an alternative nickname sometimes used by the Gators women's teams...
sports teams. The chomp originated in 1981.
The Gator Chomp is done by fully extending one's arms, one over the other, in front of the body with the palms facing each other. The arms are then moved apart and together to symbolize an alligator's mouth. This gesture is often used to jeer and intimidate opposing players and fans by Florida fans and athletes. The Gator Chomp is typically accompanied by the Pride of the Sunshine
The Pride of the Sunshine
The University of Florida Fightin' Gator Marching Band, also known as The Pride of the Sunshine, is the official marching band for the University of Florida. They play at every Florida Gators home football game in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and also performs at various other events such as pep...
, Florida's marching band
Marching band
Marching band is a physical activity in which a group of instrumental musicians generally perform outdoors and incorporate some type of marching with their musical performance. Instrumentation typically includes brass, woodwinds, and percussion instruments...
, playing the two-note shark motif
Motif
Motif may refer to the following:In creative work:* Motif , a perceivable or salient recurring fragment or succession of notes* Motif , any recurring element in a story that has symbolic significance...
from the film Jaws.
Barack Obama's wife, Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama
Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama is the wife of the 44th and incumbent President of the United States, Barack Obama, and is the first African-American First Lady of the United States...
, performed the Gator Chomp during a 2008 campaign visit to Gainesville.