Gridiron Grandpa
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Gridiron Grandpa
“Number 68 in your program, number one in your heart.”
That is how William Britton “Bill” Richbourg introduces himself when talking about his football career at the University of Florida. More than 60 years ago, he wore No. 68 for the Gators, playing under head coach Ray Graves and lining up against some of the biggest names in college football.
To me, though, he has always just been my sweet, southern Papa Bill.
Growing up, I knew my grandpa played football at Florida, but it was one of those family facts I never thought much about. After sitting down with him and hearing the stories for myself, I realized there was much more behind the sentence, “My grandpa played football at UF.”
Papa Bill grew up in Pensacola, Florida, and arrived at UF in 1961. He became a four-year letterwinner from 1961 through 1964, playing middle guard and nose guard.
“I played what was known in those days as a middle guard, which is a middle linebacker in today’s terminology,” Papa Bill said.
Football looked much different back then. Players regularly played on both sides of the ball, which he believed actually made him a smarter player. By learning how offensive linemen positioned their feet for certain plays, he could recognize those same clues when he lined up against opposing offenses.
Of course, being incredibly strong didn’t hurt either.
At 6 feet and roughly 208 pounds, my Papa Bill wasn’t exactly built like today’s 300-pound SEC linemen. He made up for it in the weight room at a time when weight training was far less common.
“I wouldn’t have been big enough to play college football except for lifting weights,” he said.
Florida’s 1964 media guide reported that grandpa ran the 40-yard dash in 4.9 seconds and even identified him as an Olympic weightlifting prospect.
But of all his memories, one Saturday in Tuscaloosa still stands out.
In 1963, Florida traveled to Alabama for the Crimson Tide’s homecoming. Alabama was coached by Bear Bryant and had Joe Namath starting at quarterback.
Late in the game, Alabama faced fourth down with only inches needed to move the chains. Papa Bill broke through the line and sacked Namath, forcing a fumble that Florida recovered. The Gators went on to win 10-6 in enemy territory.
Papa Bill said that game also gave him an unforgettable encounter with Bryant. After tackling an Alabama player near the sideline, he got up and found himself face-to-face with the legendary coach.
“I looked at him and just said, ‘Hell of a game, ain’t it, Coach?’” Papa Bill recalled while noting that Bryant was not nearly as amused.
Papa Bill went on to earn first-team All-SEC and Academic All-SEC honors in 1964. After Florida, he earned his law degree in 1967, was admitted to The Florida Bar in 1968 and returned to Pensacola for a legal career that lasted more than 50 years.
Interviewing my grandpa made me see a story I thought I already knew differently. I knew he played football at Florida. I didn’t know all the stories behind it, especially that he once thought talking trash to Bear Bryant on his own sideline was a good idea.
Now, more than 60 years later, I attend the same university. Our UF experiences look very different. He spent his Saturdays battling SEC offensive lines, while I tend to spend mine cheering from a much safer distance. But we share the same school, the same orange and blue and the “won’t back down” mentality.
Go Gators, always!