Excitement filled the air as former Florida Gators punter Johnny Townsend and a team of supporters gathered for the third annual Spring Game Tailgate on April 13.
The Johnny Townsend Foundation united 96 former players and their families, as well as 170 attendees, and raised $43,000 for UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital renovations of units 44 and 45. Beginning later this spring, the units will undergo construction to better support the patient care experience.

The tailgate was about having a great time but also about making an impact where it matters most.
“The children are my inspiration,” Townsend said. “I wanted to find a way to provide as much help and hope as I can for these deserving patients and their families.”
During the event fans mingled, and shared memories, while supporters secured autographs and snapped selfies with their football heroes. A few of the special guests included Scott Stricklin, University of Florida athletic director, former Florida Gators Head Football Coach Steve Spurrier and UF mascots Albert and Alberta.
Event sponsors included Stuart Building Products, Pepsi Co., Precision Construction Solutions, Meldon Law and Southern Wine & Spirits. The silent auction featured coveted Gators memorabilia such as a football signed by Heisman trophy winners, a Traeger Grill package, and trips to Greece, Spain and Iceland.



Townsend shared that supporting the community has been important to him since he was a student at UF, where he participated in service programs and inspired him to establish the foundation six years ago. The event demonstrated that when sports and community come together, miracles can happen. With the success of the Johnny Townsend Tailgate, the real winners are the brave pediatric patients who inspire everyone to keep pushing for the win both on and off the field.
Johnny Townsend Fund
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