Errict Rhett’s $16.7 Million Gift: A Gator Legend’s Historic Pledge to the Future

Gainesville, FL — In a moment that will forever be etched into the annals of University of Florida history, former Florida Gators star running back and NFL veteran Errict Rhett has made a bold and historic gesture. On Tuesday, Rhett announced he is donating the full sum of $16.7 million to his alma mater — the University of Florida — in a dual-purpose commitment: to advance youth development programs and to help fund renovations of the iconic Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, affectionately known to Gator fans as “The Swamp.”

Standing before a packed crowd at the Reitz Union, surrounded by university leaders, current athletes, and former teammates, Rhett choked back tears as he spoke from the heart.

This unprecedented donation — the largest ever given to UF athletics by a former student-athlete — represents more than just financial support. It’s a profound statement about identity, legacy, and the power of giving back.

Before he was a philanthropist and community leader, Errict Rhett was a legend in cleats. Recruited from McArthur High School in Hollywood, Florida, Rhett joined the Florida Gators in 1990 and quickly made his mark. By the time he finished his collegiate career in 1993, he had become the Gators’ all-time leading rusher — amassing over 4,000 yards and scoring 34 touchdowns. His power, agility, and relentless drive made him a cornerstone of coach Steve Spurrier’s explosive offense.

“I’ve coached a lot of great ones,” Spurrier once said, “but Errict was one of those guys who just never stopped fighting. Whether it was third and short or first and goal, you knew he’d get it done.”

After college, Rhett went on to enjoy a successful NFL career, primarily with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and later the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns. But no matter how far he traveled or how high he climbed, he remained grounded in his Gator roots.

“I wore NFL jerseys,” Rhett once joked, “but underneath was always orange and blue.”

While much of the attention around the donation has understandably centered on the upcoming renovations to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium — part of a larger $400 million facility overhaul — Rhett’s true passion lies with youth development.

A significant portion of the $16.7 million donation — approximately $8 million — is earmarked to fund new and existing youth outreach programs at the university. These include scholarships for underserved students, mentorship and leadership programs for local middle and high school athletes, and community engagement efforts that use sports as a tool for character building.

The funding will allow UF to partner with local schools in Gainesville and throughout Florida to host summer sports academies, educational boot camps, and one-on-one mentorships led by student-athletes and alumni. There are also plans for a new “Rhett Leadership Institute,” focusing on character education, career readiness, and civic responsibility.

University of Florida President Dr. Ben Sasse praised the move as “visionary and transformative.”

The remaining $8.7 million will be dedicated to the much-anticipated renovation of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, which has served as the home of Gator football since 1930. The updates — scheduled to be completed by 2027 — will include modern seating, expanded concourses, enhanced accessibility, upgraded locker rooms, and a new state-of-the-art training facility.

Athletic Director Scott Stricklin noted that Rhett’s contribution is the largest single donation to the stadium project from a former player

News of the donation reverberated far beyond Gainesville, igniting a wave of praise and gratitude from across the Gator Nation.

Former quarterback Danny Wuerffel, who played with Rhett in the early ’90s, called the move “purely Rhett.”

Social media was flooded with messages of appreciation, including from current Gator athletes.

For fans, alumni, and students, Rhett’s gesture represents more than money — it’s a rekindling of pride, tradition, and purpose.

Rhett was joined at the donation ceremony by his wife and children, all of whom wore matching orange-and-blue outfits embroidered with the word “Legacy.”

“I wanted them here,” Rhett said, “because I want them to understand where we come from — and how important it is to give back.”

His daughter, a high school track star, said watching her father speak made her “proud beyond words.”

“I’ve always looked up to him, but today was different,” she said. “Today, I saw what being a true leader looks like.”

Errict Rhett’s post-football career has centered around faith, family, and community. He’s served as a motivational speaker, youth coach, and the founder of the Errict Rhett Foundation, which supports inner-city youth through academic and athletic programming.

“I believe in second chances and opportunity,” Rhett said. “That’s what Florida gave me. That’s what I want to give back.”

Through his foundation and personal outreach, Rhett has mentored hundreds of young men, many of whom have gone on to earn college scholarships — including several to UF.

“He didn’t just talk the talk,” said longtime friend and mentor Reverend William Banks. “He put in the time, the effort, and now, the resources.”

As construction begins on the new Swamp and youth programming ramps up this fall, Rhett will remain closely involved in both areas. He’s already agreed to serve as honorary chair for the stadium renovation campaign and will help design leadership curriculum for the new youth development institute.

When asked if he plans to slow down, Rhett smiled.

In many ways, Rhett’s donation is less about legacy and more about continuity — the passing of the torch from one generation to the next. In his speech, he captured this idea with moving clarity.

As the sun set over Gainesville that evening, the stadium lights flickered on. And somewhere in the still air, beneath the roar of distant cheers and memories long past, you could almost hear it: the heartbeat of a program — and a legend — marching forward.

Errict Rhett’s $16.7 million donation isn’t just the largest of its kind — it’s the most meaningful. It bridges the past and future, celebrates character as much as talent, and proves that true greatness isn’t measured in yards gained or touchdowns scored, but in lives changed.

For the University of Florida, for its students, athletes, and community, this gift will serve as a constant reminder that once a Gator, always a Gator — in spirit, in pride, and in purpose.

And in the years to come, when thousands of fans pour into a revitalized Swamp or when a child from Gainesville finds their voice in a leadership seminar, they’ll have one man to thank — not just for the check he wrote, but for the example he set.

Errict Rhett.

Forever a Gator.

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