Former Florida player, WWE superstar Titus O’Neil talks return to The Swamp

WWE superstar Titus O’Neil made an appearance at The Swamp Thursday night to hype Gator Nation up before kickoff of the 2022 Orange and Blue Spring Game. O’Neil played at Florida as a defensive tackle from 1996-2000 under Steve Spurrier, where in 1996 the Gators won the national championship during his redshirt freshman season.

He’s been back every so often over the last several years as his WWE career winds down, reminiscing about what he misses most about being back at the Swamp.

“What I love the most about the Swamp is over 90,000 strong every Saturday, no matter who we’re playing, playing a high school football team down the road with 90,000 fans here,” O’Neil said. “And the thing I miss the most about playing here, obviously being able to play on national TV on a regular basis. But my teammates, so many teammates that sacrificed so much to set a Gator standard, win championships and then to get a chance to come back and see a lot of them that are fathers like myself or our business owners, athletes.”

O’Neil saw first hand what the standard of Florida football looks like, helping to Gators to never losing more than four games in a single season while he was with the team.

While his football career ultimately did not pan out, O’Neil has found that WWE, entertainment and giving back better suit him anyway. Oh, and of course the occasional Saturday night cheering on his Gators in the Swamp.

“It’s just a very special time for the University of Florida football program and excited that I had the chance to be a part of it years ago,” he said.

Be sure to check out the rest of the 2022 Orange and Blue Spring Game live on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app as the first half wraps up.