Columbia, SC/Florida-- A search that started in South Carolina for the number one Gamecock fan ended in of all places..Gator country - Florida.
"You know being a Gamecock fan is like being a Cubs fan they always found a way to break your heart but they did not do it the last 2 years and they are not going to this year," said Russel Wilcox of WLTX.
CBS Station WLTX in Columbia, SC went on a hunt for the biggest Gamecock fan. Wilcox asked long time Gamecock fans Russel Wilcox what does it take to be considered the the number one Gamecock Fan.
"Paint there face Garnet and Black," said Wilcox.
"Not miss any game and have all the gear," said Bob Benjamin.
Now meet Ken Dewitt who lives more than 300 miles away in Florida and his Gamecock pride can be seen from space!
"To be perfectly honest with you I was outside with the weed whacker and I just went out to trim and I said let me see if I can make something for fun," said Dewitt.
That fun turned into a Gamecock tribute right in the middle of Gator country.
"I just started with the G and it looked good and then I went with the O and then I just spelled it out and people thought I was crazy at first because some people might have found it offensive and now everyone says you have to put it back every year."
Dewitt attended USC but left school to be an air traffic controller. When we showed fans his landscape art here in Columbia, lets just say they were shocked.
"Wow that's a fan there, I wish I had a lawn like that, with just the green grass," said Wilcox.
"He's in Florida? I wonder how he got along with people after they beat the gators," said Benjamin.
But Dewitt says you would be surprised by the response.
"Everyone has loved it including the gator fans," said Dewitt.
It takes him about an hour and a half to cut Go Cocks in his yard.. This year will be his 4th year doing it.
" I did not expect them to go to Omaha this year but they believe in themselves and I believe if they win Thursday night, I think they can go all the way."
WLTX