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Florida fan falls after climbing traffic light, could face criminal charges

by:Alex Byington•04/08/25•

_AlexByington

Syndication: Gainesville Sun
Gator fans celebrate on University Avenue in Gainesville after winning the NCAA national championship men's basketball game between the Florida Gators and the Houston Cougars in Gainesville, FL on Monday, April 7, 2025.

Some fans just don’t know how to celebrate safely. In the early morning hours after Florida won the 2025 NCAA Tournament National Championship — its first since 2007 — with Monday night’s 65-63 victory over Houston in San Antonio, Gators fans descended on downtown Gainesville to commemorate the moment.

That included one foolhardy University of Florida fan that opted to celebrate by climbing a traffic light on at University Avenue and Buckman Drive/17th Street as crowds filled the Gainesville streets below, according to Gainesville ABC affiliate WCJB. The yet-to-be-named fan then decided to jump around on the hardly-stable overhang before falling to the concrete street below, according to video provided by WCJB. Another fan who witnessed the incident told WCJB that the daredevil “seemed OK” after the fall.

Check out the scary moment here:

Gainesville Police Det. Lonnie Scott told Jacksonville TV station WJXT News4 that the fan was taken to a nearby hospital, though his condition was unclear, and that he could face criminal mischief charges for damaging the light pole. Police told News4 that there were several arrests during the postgame title celebration, which lasted until nearly 4 am ET Tuesday morning.

Erin Andrews posts thrilling reaction to Florida winning national championship

NFL on FOX sideline reporter Erin Andrews celebrated the Florida Gators winning the national title big time. An alum of the school, it was all about the Gators Monday night for the veteran sports reporter.

Andrews graduated from Florida in the spring of 2000 and was a member of the Gators Dazzlers dance team. In 2007, she was honored with the University of Florida’s Outstanding Young Alumni Award.

Safe to say, she was excited. While known for primarily football and her knowledge of the NFL and its athletes, Andrews certainly likes to kick back and just be a fan.

“IF YOU AIN’T A GATOR, YOU MUST BE GATOR BAIT!!!!!!!!,” Andrews wrote on Twitter. “Congrats (Gators Men’s Basketball).”

It was quite the ride, considering Florida’s comeback against Houston, winning 65-63. So they were in fact, “Gator Bait.”

— On3’s Nick Kosko contributed to this report.