Larry Libertore facts for kids
Libertore running on Florida State.
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| Florida Gators – No. 14 | |
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| Position | Quarterback / Halfback |
| Class | Graduate (B.S., 1963) |
| Major | Physical education |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | November 18, 1939 Canton, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died: | December 25, 2017 (aged 78) Lakeland, Florida, U.S. |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Weight | 138 lb (63 kg) |
| Career history | |
| College |
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| Bowl games |
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| High school | Miami Edison |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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Lawrence Paul "Lightning" Libertore Jr. (November 18, 1939 – December 25, 2017) was an American college football player. He later became a real-estate agent in Lakeland, Florida. He also served as a politician in Florida.
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Early Life and High School Football
Larry Libertore was born on November 18, 1939, in Canton, Ohio. He was the oldest of three children. His family moved to Miami, Florida, when he was in ninth grade.
At Miami Edison High School, Libertore was a talented football player. He was so good that he earned a football scholarship. This scholarship allowed him to attend the University of Florida.
Playing for the Florida Gators
At the University of Florida, Libertore joined the Sigma Nu fraternity. He played for the Florida Gators football team under coach Ray Graves. Libertore was a quarterback who often ran with the ball. He also played as a defensive back.
Libertore was a small player, weighing only 138 pounds. He once joked that it was hard to find equipment that fit him. In his first game, he even had to use tape to keep his pants up!
Lightning-Fast Player
Despite his size, Libertore was incredibly fast. His 786 rushing yards were the most by a Gators quarterback for many years. This record stood until Tim Tebow broke it in 2007. In 2005, Libertore was honored as a "Gator Great." He was inducted into the University of Florida Athletics Hall of Fame.
Exciting 1960 Season
Libertore led the Gators to a great season in 1960. They won 9 games, which was a record for the team at that time. They also finished second in the SEC, their best finish ever.
In his first game as a sophomore, Libertore made an amazing play. He ran 66 yards for a touchdown on the very first play. This helped the Gators win 13–10 against LSU. Later that season, the Gators pulled off an upset win against Georgia Tech. Libertore helped lead the team to an 18–17 victory.
He also led the Gators to a win over Fran Tarkenton and the Georgia Bulldogs. The season ended with a close 13–12 win in the Gator Bowl against Baylor. Libertore was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of that game.
Later Football Career
In 1962, Libertore unfortunately hurt his knee. This injury meant he could no longer play quarterback. However, he still helped the Gators. He played as a halfback in the 1962 Gator Bowl. The Gators defeated Penn State in that game.
Political Career
After his football career, Libertore became involved in politics. He served in the Florida House of Representatives from 1970 to 1974. He represented District 51 as a member of the Democratic Party.
Later, he served as a County Commissioner for Polk County. He held this position from 1984 to 1992. During this time, he also served as the chairman of the county commission.
Personal Life
After graduating from college, Libertore moved to Lakeland, Florida. There, he became a licensed real estate agent. He married Marla Deniece Jones. They had three children: Lisa, Christy, and Larry III.
Larry Libertore passed away on December 25, 2017. He was 78 years old and died in Lakeland, Florida, after a short illness.
See also
- List of University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame members
