Florida quarterback Graham Mertz made his debut for the team on Thursday night vs. Utah, and fans first noticed what number he was wearing: No. 15.
Fans were generally not happy with the new Gator wearing this number since Florida legend Tim Tebow sported the number during his tenure with the team. People on social media seemed to think that no one else should wear this number on the Gators.
However, since Florida hasn’t retired the number, it’s technically up for grabs.
And, fans seemed to forget that Mertz definitely isn’t the first player, or quarterback, to sport No. 15 since Tebow left the program after the 2009 season. Florida’s last quarterback, Anthony Richardson, even wore the number before he entered the NFL this year.
This is definitely nothing new, so why were fans so upset with Mertz wearing No. 15? Most likely it’s because Mertz hasn’t played his whole collegiate career in Florida since he’s coming off four years in Wisconsin.
Regardless, here’s some of the social media reaction to Mertz wearing No. 15.
Tim Tebow watching Graham Mertz play with the #15 pic.twitter.com/pMibL17xc1
— Tattoo Baker 🎥✨ (@QB1TATT00) September 1, 2023
Watching Graham Mertz and thinking its crazy that Florida hasn’t retired #15. Discussed this with @swmckercher a few days ago… hard to think of a player who meant more to a program in recent college football history than Tim Tebow did to Florida.
— Sean Kane (@SKaneNBCS) September 1, 2023
So much pressure on Mertz wearing #15 … who allowed that ? This can’t end well
— Rico Bo$co (@Return_Of_RB) September 1, 2023
Florida gave Graham Mertz #15??? pic.twitter.com/sGHUwhE6Up
— Dylan Holt (@DylanHolt_) September 1, 2023
Mertz wearing #15 is insane. How is that not retired.
— Rico “Big Ounce” Thunder 🍊 (@GritFactoryCEO) September 1, 2023
Seeing another QB at Florida wearing #15 just feels wrong. I don’t like it.
— Tulane Sports Guy (@TulaneSportsGuy) September 1, 2023
It’s not a jab at Graham Mertz… but Tebow immortalized that number for UF.
It’s like seeing another RB at Auburn wearing #34. Another QB for the Patriots wearing #12. Heck, it’s like seeing someone… pic.twitter.com/RjzbYH5DyZ
Tim Tebow trying to figure out how Graham Mertz was allowed to wear #15 for the Florida Gators: pic.twitter.com/nVRJVVuqay
— illest nigga in falconia ⏳{bout it x2} (@MillyBeamen) September 1, 2023
Something about Mertz wearing 15… doesn’t seem right.
— Shawn (@trilwil92) September 1, 2023
Very bold choice for Graham Mertz to wear #15
— Mason Woods (@mawoods_) September 1, 2023
Not even a Tebow fan, who let Mertz wear #15?
— Tyler Wise (@TriggeredWise) September 1, 2023
