What came after the Florida Gators’ national title win is what has people talking
In many ways, the culmination of the men’s NCAA college basketball tournament managed to perfectly capture the essence of the Florida Gators’ fearless leader, Walter Clayton Jr.
With time ticking down, Clayton, a senior guard, watched as Houston Cougars sharpshooter Emmanuel Sharp (the name is serendipitous) caught a pass at the top of the key and geared up for a potential game-winning 3.
Clayton — alone in the paint — raced to the top of the key, leaped high in the air and managed to affect Sharp’s view of the hoop so severely that the Sharp tried to land without shooting the ball, which would constitute a clear “up and down” traveling violation and an automatic turnover.
Instead, Sharp dropped the ball, a scramble ensued, and the Florida Gators sealed their third championship as time expired, stunning Cougars fans as the Gators and their fan base erupted in euphoria.
But it’s what Clayton did next that served as a reminder that there’s truth to that old adage “It’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game.”
He walked over to Sharp, who was kneeling on the hardwood, hands buried in his face, and placed his arm on his opponent’s back. He offered some words of encouragement and gave him a hug, literally just moments after the game had ended.
The show of sportsmanship elicited an immediate reaction from fans across the country.
“This is what sports are all about 100,” the NCAA posted on X.
A user wrote in the thread: “Class act! [The] Houston Cougars were worthy opponents and deserve respect and empathy! Go Gators!”
Another person posted, “Showing a bunch of class by Walter Clayton Jr.,” as dozens of others remarked on what they saw as an example of “great sportsmanship.”
The backstory for Clayton might help to explain the mindset behind his touching action.
Clayton, a highly sought-after four-star recruit in football, received offers from blue chip programs like Notre Dame, Florida State, Georgia, Nebraska and even Florida, according to USA Today.
But he wanted to play basketball, and elite programs weren’t interested. So he caught on with a lower-profile program, Iona — then led by coach Rick Pitino — and used three years of playing time there to showcase his basketball bona fides.
The next stop for Clayton, who is originally from the Orlando area, was Gainesville and the University of Florida, where his star truly shined.
But his commitment to team — and group over self — is a trait that appears to have endured throughout his basketball journey.
And on Monday night, it spoke volumes about his DNA on the court and his empathy, too, for all players in competition, whether they share his jersey or not.
“The feeling is just surreal, it’s a crazy feeling, I honestly can’t even explain it” Clayton said when he was asked what it felt like to win a national championship.
“And we all understand that we’re all just picking each other up throughout the year,” he continued. “I think the way we won … is just an exclamation mark on the year, and it’s great to win like that, knowing the fact that we’re just a brotherhood, together.”
In San Antonio, the power of brotherhood was on full display.
