Anthony Richardson living out a childhood dream as ‘the guy’ in Gainesville
ATLANTA — Anthony Richardson grew up in the shadow of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium dreaming of being the Florida Gators quarterback. He watched Tim Tebow and wondered what it would be like to be him. How would it feel to have 90,000 screaming fans looking up to you? To be the big man on campus in his own city.
Now he’s living it.
Despite only playing roughly 220 plays and completing just 33 passes, according to Billy Napier, Richarson is the guy in Gainesville. He’s the starting quarterback and with that comes a heightened level of scrutiny.
Richardson is learning that as he goes. There was a speeding ticket that turned into a headline, which wouldn’t be a story if he was not in the position he’s in as the face of a program like Florida. It was a mistake, one that has already been handled and taken care of but something that served as a lesson.
“I think he’s working hard on his leadership, his maturity, really growing up as a person, improving his character,” Napier said of Richardson.
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Richardson maturing and learning his new role
Richardson is living his childhood dream, but does the reality live up? His perspective has changed now that he’s in those shoes.
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“Being ‘the guy’ forces you to move a little different,” Richardson said. “How to understand people a little different. It’s definitely a crazy experience.”
Richardson and Napier have had conversations over the last seven months about those expectations. Napier is as concerned about creating good men as he is about winning football games. Richardson is just 21 years old but the spotlight is on him 24/7.
“It’s forced me to move different. Talking to Coach Napier, a lot of things that have happened to me this year. He told me I need to move like a head coach. I can’t just be out here willy nilly just doing anything. I am the guy,” Richardson said. ” There’s a lot riding on me. There’s a lot of people looking up to me, looking out for me. I have to move different now that I’m the guy.”
![A touchdown is celebrated with fireworks in the first half at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, September 17, 2022. [Cyndi Chambers/Gainesville Sun] Ncaa Football Florida Gators Vs Usf Bulls](https://on3static.com/cdn-cgi/image/height=215,width=393,quality=90,fit=cover,gravity=0.5x0.5/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2023/08/27214921/Untitled-design-4-4.png)
![Florida Gators wide receiver Eugene Wilson III (3) hauls in a pass while taking balls from a throwing machine during University of Florida Gators’ Spring football practice at Sanders Practice Fields in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, March 28, 2024. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]](https://on3static.com/cdn-cgi/image/height=215,width=393,quality=90,fit=cover,gravity=0.5x0.5/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/08/01212103/Untitled-design-80.png)
