Florida DB Chauncey Gardner plans to honor family by changing his name

One of Florida’s defensive backs is changing his name.

Gators safety Chauncey Gardner now wants people to call him Chauncey Gardner-Johnson.

He’s changing his name in honor of his “Pops,” Brian Johnson, according to a post on his Twitter account Saturday.

“This note is for my Pops (Brian),” Gardner-Johnson said. “He has been there for me since I was 3 from pop warner league all the way up to my collegiate career. Thinking about how awesome he has been to my little brothers and mom is amazing and the helping hand he is through our lives.

“Talking it over with you and the family, it’s official I will be changing my name and honoring you with this decision,” Gardner-Johnson added. “Having that Johnson on my back is going to be with me forever and I thank you and will continue to grind and push forward to get to OUR dream.”

Gardner-Johnson was second on the team in tackles this past football season with 58 total stops. He also had a pair of interceptions to go along with seven pass breakups.

This is pretty cool. Check out the full Twitter post below:

P S A❗️❗️ pic.twitter.com/uRUMeWJJ9U

— Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (@CGJXXIII) December 30, 2017

Cody McClure

Cody McClure is an SEC Football Writer for Saturday Down South. He lives in Knoxville, Tennessee, where he also co-hosts a midday sports radio show for FOX Sports. Cody previously worked for Athlon Sports.