Gator Giant Tries Football, Falls Short
7-foot-9 center’s gridiron debut yields no blocked kicks
Basketball player **Olivier Rioux**, standing an astonishing 7-foot-9, recently traded his sneakers for a football helmet, attempting to leverage his immense height for the Florida Gators’ special teams.
A Vertically Challenged Attempt
The redshirt freshman, already a viral sensation due to his stature, gave football a try this offseason. The strategy was simple: with his unparalleled reach, he was expected to block kicked balls. However, reports indicate that **Rioux** was unable to swat away any attempts.
Florida basketball coach **Todd Golden** acknowledged the football staff’s slight disappointment, noting that even at nearly eight feet tall, an 11-inch vertical leap proved insufficient for the task.
“I like the idea. I give them credit for trying it.”
—Todd Golden, Florida Basketball Coach
Sticking to the Hardwood
Despite the football experiment, **Rioux** remains a significant presence on the basketball court. He redshirted last season during the Gators’ national championship run but still garnered attention. Famously, he cut down a piece of the net after Florida’s victory without needing a ladder, a moment that amused and amazed online observers.
Earlier this month, **Rioux** also made waves with Canada’s U19 national team, disrupting an inbound pass simply by standing in its path, requiring no jump to create a turnover.
Future on the Court Uncertain
With Florida’s entire frontcourt returning, **Rioux**’s playing time this season is uncertain. However, there’s speculation he could be utilized in late-game defensive inbound plays. He has become one of college basketball’s most recognizable figures, a living meme, and a fan favorite, proving that sometimes, sheer height is enough to capture public imagination.
In fact, the average height for an NBA player is approximately 6-foot-7, making **Rioux** nearly a full foot taller than the league average (NBAManiacs).
Should his basketball career not pan out, perhaps a tryout with Florida’s baseball team in the outfield could be on the horizon.
