Longtime Florida Gators Sports Information Director Passes Away At 90 Years Old

The Florida Gators athletics program lost a legend today as Norm Carlson, the school's longtime sports information director and historian, passed away. He was 90 years old.

Carlson was hired by the Gators in 1963 amid offers to work in the NFL, MLB and many other schools following a successful career as a sports writer. He would officially serve in the role for 50 years and continued to serve as the team's official historian for many years after retiring in 2002.

Carlson is widely credited within the school for his role in helping Gators quarterback Steve Spurrier win the Heisman Trophy in 1966. He was considered one of the top supporters of Spurrier and used his platform to help sway public opinion towards him in the voting that year.

Spurrier himself released a statement on Saturday, highlighting the tremendous respect he had and giving him props for helping him win the Heisman.

"We had so many wonderful memories with Norm,'' Spurrier said Saturday. "As a player, he was the sports information director that everyone loved. We had tremendous respect for him. Somebody said, 'if anybody helped you with the Heisman, Norm would be first, right?' Yep, I would say Norm would be first because he was so well-respected across the county. He got me a bunch of votes."

More tributes from people who knew and appreciated Carlson have been pouring in all day:

"Truly a legend in the industry. Rest in peace, Norm and condolences to the Carlson family," wrote WJXT's Justin Barney.

"An era has come to an end. RIP Norm Carlson," another user posted on X.

"RIP to a truly wonderful human. Bottom line, Steve Spurrier doesn’t win the Heisman Trophy without the behind-the-scenes work of Norm Carlson," Joey Knight of the Tampa Bay Times wrote.

Our hearts go out to Carlson's family and loved ones.