Anthony Richardson's Journey from ‘Hometown Hero’ to the NFL
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Anthony Richardson is Indianapolis bound. With the fourth pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Florida Gators star signal caller became the school’s first quarterback to get selected in the opening round of the draft since Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow in 2010.
Prior to flying to Kansas City, Richardson met exclusively with Gators Online for his last sit-down interview. In the video feature below, GO profiles Richardson as he reflects on his upbringing, football career and NFL future with his manager and mentor, Vernell Brown Jr.
Profile on QB Anthony Richardson
‘Hometown Hero’ stops playing hero ball
Richardson grew up in Gainesville and was dubbed the “Hometown Hero” by fans even before he enrolled at the University of Florida. While Richardson appreciated the love, he also put more pressure of himself because of that spotlight.
“It’s definitely tough,” Richardson said. “You’re from Gainesville, you’re playing The Swamp. It’s like, you gotta go above and beyond. People call me the hometown hero. I’m like, I didn’t really do much to be the hometown hero, but I can see it from a different perspective that they see me in a different light just because I’m from Gainesville and went to UF.”
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Trying to live up to expectations weighed on Richardson last season during his first year as a starter, but he credits his manager and mentor Vernell Brown Jr. — also a Gainesville native who played for the Gators — for helping him stop trying to play “hero ball.”
After no touchdowns and four interceptions through the first three games, Richardson threw for 17 touchdowns with just five picks over the last nine games of 2022.
“For myself, it just felt good,” he said. “I wasn’t trying to please everybody anymore. I was going back to how I was in high school, middle school, just having fun playing football instead of putting so much pressure on myself, trying to make everybody happy and play hero ball. I just started being Ant and letting it ride. And, I just brought so much joy to myself again and then having fun with my teammates again. That was a blessing.”
Pre-draft coverage of Richardson
Richardson reflects on highs, lows of Florida Gators career
Richardson happy with draft process but not NFL Combine
Richardson ‘emotions are everywhere’ ahead of NFL Draft
Where will Florida Gators QB Richardson go on draft night?
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