Florida Players Network Stick Together for 2nd Annual Spring Spectacular Events During Orange and Blue Debut Game Weekend

GAINESVILLE, FL--(Marketwire - Mar 22, 2013) - Percy Harvin, Fred Taylor, Ahmad Black, Lito Sheppard, Reidel Anthony, Errict Rhett and more than 100 other former University of Florida football players will reunite for the Florida Players Network (FPN) Spring Spectacular events for the second year in a row during the University of Florida's Orange and Blue Debut game weekend April 4-6.

Now in its second year, the nonprofit FPN is gaining momentum as the group continues to focus on uniting former Gator football players to support each other in "all kinds of weather" during and after their football careers. Within the past year, FPN has strategically worked with corporations like Waffle House to help place more than a dozen former Gator players in management positions, while financially assisting other players with housing, education and drug rehabilitation.

"I think Gator fans would be shocked if they knew where some of our former players are today," says Chris Doering, president of FPN and former UF wide receiver and Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee. "We have a unique network being part of the Gator Nation and our goal is to bring all former players together so we can continue to help our own in good times and in bad times as well as give back to the Gainesville community that has served us well."

FPN will host several events for former football players during Orange and Blue Debut game weekend including a pre-game tailgate party, a flag football game and two fundraising events that are also open to the public. 

The Gator Greats Golf Tournament will take place at the Mark Bostick Golf Course at the University of Florida on Fri., April 5. Registration begins at 7 a.m., with a 9 a.m. shot gun start. Individual golfers or foursomes can register for $100 per person. The tournament is a great opportunity to walk the green with your favorite orange and blue football players. Registration fee includes breakfast and lunch (http://gatorgreatsgolftournament.eventbrite.com).

The Blue Carpet Extravaganza will take place at the Champions Club at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Fri., April 5 starting at 7 p.m. The master of ceremonies for this formal cocktail event will be Gator Great, Errict Rhett, who will lead the FPN fundraising effort for the evening with other special guests. It's also a great opportunity to rub shoulders with other Gator Greats who will walk the blue carpet. Tickets are $100 each and include dinner by Blue Water Bay, open bar and concert by pop/rock band, 10^th Concession (http://fpnbluecarpetextravaganza.eventbrite.com).

For more details on FPN's Spring Spectacular events or to become a sponsor, visit: www.floridaplayersnetwork.org. FPN's Spring Spectacular sponsors include: Boston Asset Management, Jason Myers Photography, Lustries Cupcakes and Bakery, Ocala Poker, OMBI Group, LLC, Pitch Inc., Premier Choice Capital, Inc., Waffle House and WingHouse.