Historical moves as Former Florida Gators RB and Legend Errict Rhett Donates entire $16.7 Million to the University for New Stadium Project Renovation and youth development, Says Gators Pride Lives Within Him Wherever He Goes, Committed to
I can’t find any credible information indicating that Errict Rhett has donated $16.7 million to the University of Florida for stadium renovations or youth development. No reputable news outlets, University of Florida releases, or documentation mentions such a contribution. Instead, what is widely documented is that Errict Rhett has indeed given back to his community in other impactful ways.
Errict Rhett remains the Florida Gators’ all‑time leading rusher, with 4,163 career rushing yards (and 1,230 receiving yards), surpassing even Emmitt Smith in those numbers during his time at UF (pewterpirates.blogspot.com). During his college years under coach Steve Spurrier (1990–1993) he led the SEC in rushing twice, was named first‑team All‑SEC in 1991 and 1993, and earned first‑team All‑America honors in 1993 (Wikipedia). He closed his Florida career as MVP of the 1994 Sugar Bowl after rushing for 105 yards and scoring three touchdowns in a 41–7 rout of West Virginia (Wikipedia).
After his Florida Hall of Fame college career, Rhett was selected in the second round of the 1994 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and posted consecutive 1,000‑yard seasons as a rookie and sophomore. His NFL career spanned seven seasons with stops in Tampa Bay, Baltimore, and Cleveland, totaling 4,143 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns (Wikipedia).
Off the field, Rhett has devoted himself to philanthropy. He founded the Errict Rhett Foundation, through which he’s offered scholarships (typically $1,000–$5,000 each) to underprivileged students, and supports mentoring, after‑school programs, and emergency aid funds for students in financial crisis (scoreatl.com). He has also built homes for families in need through his construction company and even hosted raffles to raise charitable funds (scoreatl.com).
Fans and media from different eras have described him as a beloved character in Gainesville—jokester, motivator, and leader. He’s been honored by leading the “Mr. Two Bits” chant at UF home games and was the first celebrity guest to do so in 2013 (Florida Gators). His legacy includes induction into Florida’s athletic Hall of Fame and the Florida–Georgia Hall of Fame as a Gator great (Florida Gators).
In sum: while Errict Rhett has unquestionably given back in meaningful ways—significant scholarship support, housing initiatives, mentorship and education outreach—there is no record that he donated $16.7 million to the university specifically for stadium renovation or youth development. If that is a claim circulating, it appears to be either unverified or misattributed.
If you’ve seen that figure cited somewhere—such as a recent article, social media post, or release—it would be helpful to share the source so we can explore it more deeply. But based on all available documentation, it appears to be unsubstantiated.
