Two Gators tour Kennedy Space Center, share special moment with young fan

On3 imageby:Zach Abolverdi•05/28/23•

ZachAbolverdi

Through the latest initiative from the GatorMade program, Florida linebacker Derek Wingo and offensive lineman Riley Simmonds experienced NASA this week.

Simonds and Wingo traveled Thursday to Merritt Island, Florida, where they received a behind-the-scenes tour of Kennedy Space Center. The players met two UF grads there, although for one of them, her highlight of the day came after the tour.

Gators coach Billy Napier tweeted “#REPRESENT” when he shared a post about Simonds and Wingo from Rami Intriago, NASA’s resident office manager at Boeing’s Commercial Crew and Cargo Processing Facility.

“As UF Alum and 32+ year football booster, it was a blessing to see Billy Napier’s GatorMade at work at KSC yesterday. Great to meet you Derek Wingo and Riley Simonds. Thank you for representing Gator Nation so well on and off the field,” Intriago tweeted.

Simonds and Wingo received a tour from Rebecca Regan, senior communications manager at Boeing. Regan posted a thread of tweets and photos from the day.

“As I showed Riley Simonds & Derek Wingo around the Starliner factory, they were kind, courteous and engaged. Even entertained a few chomp pics with alum,” Regan wrote.

“They learned not all NASA workers are scientists, but all are equally important to exploring the final frontier, including Boeing Space Communications professionals like me.”

Florida’s Riley Simonds and Derek Wingo with NASA’s Rami Intriago (middle right) and Rebecca Regan (far right), both of whom are UF alums. (Photo courtesy of Intriago)

Regan shared a couple anecdotes from the tour. She said when Wingo saw the re-entry plasma streak on the reusable Starliner, he thought it looked like the badges of honor on his Gators helmet.

Regan also revealed an exchange between Simonds and a Kennedy Space Center security guard, who apologized to Simonds for having a kid at UF’s rival school, Florida State University.

“You should be proud,” Simonds responded, “he’s going to college.”

For Regan, her favorite interaction with Simonds and Wingo didn’t happen at Kennedy Space Center. After the tour, they played football with her son, Colton, later that evening.

Regan explained why it was so meaningful to them.

“He had a bone infection in his hip and two surgeries last year that took him out of sports for 6+ months. So it was a really special moment for him (and his momma),” Regan wrote.

She posted one final picture of Simonds and Wingo holding up her son, Colton.

“I’ve got a feeling their good hearts are attributable to having a good coach,” Regan wrote. “Best of luck this season! This ’17 UF alum and forever Gator fan will be cheering you on!”

Florida’s Riley Simonds and Derek Wingo with Regan’s son, Colton. (Photo courtesy of Regan)

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