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Gunner Stockton: GA-FL game’s personal tragedy

Jacksonville, FL – October 30, 2010, remains a day etched in the memory of the Stockton family, forever linking the intense Georgia-Florida football rivalry to a profound personal tragedy. On that solemn Saturday, 62-year-old Tony Stockton, grandfather to current Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton and a devoted fan of the Bulldogs, suffered a fatal heart attack just outside EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville.

The day had unfolded as countless others before it for college football fans: a fiercely contested game between two SEC powerhouses, held annually in what’s famously known as “The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.” That year, the Florida Gators edged out the Georgia Bulldogs in a thrilling 34-31 overtime victory. As fans began to exit the stadium, Tony Stockton, having just witnessed the dramatic conclusion, was walking up a ramp when he suddenly felt unwell. He sat down, then collapsed. Emergency medical technicians quickly responded, working on him for approximately 45 minutes at the scene, but tragically, they were unable to revive him.

For the Stockton family, the annual spectacle in Jacksonville, a highlight for many college football enthusiasts, now carries a deeply personal and bittersweet weight. Gunner Stockton, who was only seven years old at the time of his grandfather’s passing, grew up with this indelible memory. Tony Stockton’s passion for Georgia football was legendary within his family, making his sudden death at the very heart of the rivalry a poignant loss that has shaped Gunner’s journey.

Now a quarterback for the Georgia Bulldogs, Gunner Stockton’s presence on the roster brings an added layer of meaning to every Georgia-Florida matchup. While the public sees a fierce competition, for the Stockton family, it’s also a powerful reminder of Tony’s love for the game and the cherished memories, now tinged with sorrow, of a day that changed their lives forever. His grandfather’s enduring spirit and love for the Bulldogs continue to resonate, woven into the fabric of Gunner’s own collegiate career and the family’s deep ties to the sport.

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