In the wake of Tom Petty’s death this week at the age of 66, University of Florida fans offered up a rousing tribute to the Gainesville native with a stadium-wide rendition of “I Won’t Back Down” during a Saturday’s LSU matchup.
With a break in the action, the crowd of Gator fans, a team that Tom Petty has celebrated over the course of his storied career, took to bellowing out the lyrics of one of his most famous songs. The moment was planned and shared on social media via a statement from University of Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin, which was posted on the Gators’ website.
“Let’s celebrate together what he meant to the world of music and what he meant to this community. Since we are already singing ‘We are the Boys,’ let’s go right from that into one of his great anthems and make that the way we are going to jointly celebrate Tom Petty and the Gators.”
The crowd got the memo and offered up this rousing rendition with tens of thousands of fans joining in on the widely known rock anthem.
Though Tom Petty’s songs were often rife with Southern California imagery and references, in a 2006 interview with NPR, the laid-back frontman often spoke of his upbringing in Florida. Guitarist Mike Campbell would often break out a guitar bearing the University of Florida’s logo during local live sets in the band’s later days.
Speaking to NPR’s Terry Gross, Petty spoke of his upbringing in Gainesville and the dichotomy of the city’s academic pedigree alongside its native and more rural population.
“I was in the redneck, hillbilly part of the city while growing up. I wasn’t part of the academic circle, but it’s an interesting place because you can meet almost any kind of person from many walks of life because of the university. But it’s really surrounded by this kind of very rural kind of people that are — you know, they’re farmers or tractor drivers or just all kinds of — game wardens, you name it. So it’s an interesting blend.”
Following his death, a mural popped in the city, proclaiming the singer to be the city’s “No. 1 Son.”
As of Friday, no plans had been finalized regarding memorial services, public or private, for the late singer. However, Gainesville Mayor Lauren Poe has revealed she is crowdsourcing residents’ ideas for a local memorial service for the rock legend.
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.