Breaking news: Gator’s softball announced another good news…

Breaking news: Gator’s softball announced another good news…

t’s not unusual to see a softball player put something in their hair —whether it be a headband, hair tie, or something else, but a sunflower is unique — and symbolizes something bigger than the game itself for the Gators.

Here’s what you need to know about why Florida players wear sunflowers in their hair as the Gators kick off NCAA Softball Tournament play on Friday:

Why does Florida softball wear Sunflowers?

It’s a story that dates back to 2009 with a diehard Gators fan, named Heather Braswell, and an organization called Friends of Jaclyn Foundation.

As noted by The Oklahoman in 2015, Heather Braswell first came upon the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation while watching television. Shortly after this, she signed up for the foundation’s Adopt-A-Child program, which pairs kids who are dealing with pediatric brain tumors and/or other forms childhood cancers with a high school or college sports team or club as an honorary team member.

It is similar to Team Impact, another organization that partners with college sports teams that has become popular over the last few years where college programs can sign a kid facing a serious illness and/or disability as an honorary member of their team.

Friends of Jaclyn Foundation matched Heather Braswell with the Gators softball team, and quickly became a constant figure inside Florida’s dugout and locker room. Just as Heather supported Florida on the diamond, the Gators supported her off the field as well, most notably during her cancer treatments.

Cancer unfortunately returned for the Gators’ No. 1 fan in June of 2013 after a five-year remission. In January later that year, her cancer was diagnosed as terminal. She died 10 weeks later.