Former state representative, county commissioner, real estate developer and University of Florida quarterback Larry Libertore died on Christmas day at age 78 after a very brief illness.
Little Larry Libertore played quarterback and defensive back for Ray Graves’ Florida Gators from 1960 to 1962. Even at 135 pounds, Libertore was a fearless runner, solid passer (especially for his size) and master of the option offense. In two years as the starting QB, he amassed 1,511 yards of total offense, which is sixth in Gator history even 50 years later (keep in mind that he switched to Defense his senior year). In 1960, his sophomore year (freshmen were ineligible back then), he led the school to its then-record nine wins with a squad of players consistently outmatched by All SEC and All American competition and was named SEC Sophomore of the Year. In his junior year, his final year at QB before switching to DB, he was named the MVP of the 1960 Gator Bowl (Florida Gators 13, Baylor Bears 12). Even that Gator Bowl, the Gators were a longshot to keep even with the pro-style, aerial attack of the #12 Baylor Bears that set many longstanding offensive records against this Gator team. Only a few months earlier, the crafty play by Libertore sealed an 18-17 win over top-five ranked Georgia Tech that came on an option play for the two-point conversion victory instead of the tie. Larry finished his career 46/122, 715 yards and 4 TD passing, 258 attempts, 777 yards and 3 TD rushing, 22 attempts for 181 yards in punt returns, and 1 interception. Larry served in the Florida legislature from 1970 to 1974, and the Polk County commission from 1984-1992. He was inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Association hall of fame as a Gator Great in 2005.
