I couldn’t find any credible reports or evidence that Errict Rhett has donated $16.7 million to the University of Florida for stadium renovation or youth development. The reliable sources from major sports outlets and UF-affiliated sites emphasize his long-standing commitment to youth through his foundation and affordable housing efforts, but none mention a gift of that magnitude .
What we do know:
Errict Rhett Foundation has focused heavily on supporting underprivileged youth in South Florida, including building affordable housing and hosting charity events like home raffles .
Rhett has remained involved with UF through engagement at alumni events and community activities, but no large-scale donation tied to stadium renovation has been publicly announced .
Meanwhile, the University of Florida’s Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (“The Swamp”) is indeed undergoing renovation, though its scale is much larger and funded by state bonds, athletic department fundraising, and boosters:
UF is planning a $400 million+ facelift to improve concourses, restrooms, premium seating, and video/sound systems .
Some rumors about even larger funding (like $5.3 billion) don’t align with verified reports – the confirmed project is around the $400 million level .
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⚠️ Likely Explanation
There’s a pattern online where template-style headlines (e.g., “Former [School] Legend Donates $16.7 Million…”) are recycled for multiple schools and coaches. I found that same phrasing used for Jason Witten at Tennessee, Brian Dawkins at Clemson, and Anquan Boldin at Florida State—none of which are from reliable outlets . This suggests it’s a spam-style promotional piece, not a factual report.
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✅ Summary
No credible source confirms Errict Rhett donated $16.7 million to UF for stadium or youth development.
He remains active philanthropically via his foundation but without any public record of such a donation.
UF’s stadium renovation is a multi-hundred‑million-dollar project underway, funded through traditional channels—not from a Rhett gift
