A Florida Man or Woman is always a wild card in his or her own right. But at this year’s The Florida Man Games, like a perverse swamp version of “The Price is Right,” at least one team will be plucked from the audience to become the ultimate The Florida Man Games Wildcard Team. Pete Melfi, commissioner and founder of The Florida Man Games, announced his plans on the Going Ringside Podcast with Scott Johnson. For teams that just couldn’t quite get off their lawn couch to make a submission video, they’ve got another shot at the red gator skin belt … oh, and $5,000 cash.
“There were so many people who attended and wanted to take part in the competitions that we're going to give them the chance to do it this year,” said Melfi. “We might pick teams from a bucket; we might just ask the crowd who wants to do it and start picking from the people with their hands up. Since it’s only year two, we don't have hardline rules yet on how to do a competition like this, so we’re gonna have some fun experimenting.”
The absolutely bonkers events at The Florida Man Games are pulled straight from the headlines. During the Evading Arrest Obstacle Course, contests chuck a gator through a drive-through window, inspired by the viral 2016 story about a 24-year-old who threw a 3.5-foot gator through a Palm Beach County Wendy’s drive-through. It takes true legends with Florida Man knowledge to cover these events. That’s why returning host Josh Robinson will be joined this year by new co-host Kevin Flynn, known for his prolific @FloridaMan Instagram page.
New this year will be high-stakes lawn mower races with a notable racing heritage. Jefferey Earnhardt, driver in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and member of the storied Earnhardt racing family, will host the event.
“There’s fun, and then there’s Florida Man Games fun,” said Earnhardt. “When I saw this event in the news, I told my team I wanted in! Not only will I be there to mingle with the fans and enjoy some cold beverages, there’s a damn good chance I’m gonna be participating in a few of those events. Come join me on March 1, and let’s do some Florida Man stuff."
Earnhardt will be on hand to sign autographs and take photos with fans. Earnhardt is a professional stock car racing driver and a fourth-generation NASCAR driver, continuing the legacy of his racing roots – his great-grandfather, Ralph Earnhardt; his grandfather, NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt; and his uncle, Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
In 2007, Earnhardt was named Most Popular Driver by the Busch East Series. When he took the track at the Daytona 500 in February 2017, Earnhardt made NASCAR history by becoming the first-ever fourth-generation driver to compete in the Daytona 500.
Also, this year, a TV show based around the games is in the works.
“The Florida Man Games will be televised,” said Melfi. “There has been a lot of interest in making this a TV series; producers and studios have been calling since the day after the first event. I'm still getting calls from major production companies, on average, probably twice a month at least. We're close to a deal with one of the best production companies around, with popular recent specials on Netflix, ESPN and more; they're the real deal.”
The Florida Man Games is scheduled for Saturday, March 1, at the St. Johns County Fairgrounds, 5840 State Road 207 East in Elkton. The Florida Man Games will benefit the Jimmy Jam Community Outreach, a local 501(c)(3) that helps residents in need. General admission tickets are $45, and VIP tickets are $145, but remaining tickets are limited. RV tailgating spaces are currently sold out. For more information, to purchase tickets or to be a sponsor or vendor, go to thefloridamangames.com.
