Ricky Gibbs
Ricky Gibbs, from Palatka, attended the University of Florida from 2011-2015 and majored in sociology. Upon graduation, he found a job opportunity in Gainesville.
Since he was 4 years old, Gibbs has played almost every sport under the sun. In high school, he played soccer, football, intramural flag football, weightlifting, and more. In addition to playing soccer for the longest time, Gibbs has a passion for football. He had the opportunity to play football in college but chose to attend UF instead because he had a full scholarship thanks to being a top scholar in his county and school.
Because his mother is a teacher, Gibbs always puts school before sports, despite his passion for them. It wasn't too difficult for him to choose an educational path instead of a sports career. So, instead of playing college football in a small college, he played intramural flag football at UF. That also gave him the opportunity to remain close to his family in Florida.
After the death of his father when he was 11, Gibbs used sports as his coping outlet. Having been through trauma, being hurt in different ways, and now being older, sports are still a way for him to unwind, and not worry about other stresses.
“No matter what, I like to be in a competitive setting and just unwind and focus on sports, it has always been therapeutic and helps disconnect from reality and stresses.”
Two years ago, to balance life with his job, wife, and three children, Gibbs made the decision to join the Swamp Sports kickball league to try something new.
He also jumped on the opportunity when the Newberry Parks & Recreation Facebook page posted about the 3x3 basketball league being available. Gibbs plays in these leagues to preserve his health, even if it’s being asked to carry a couch. Participating in multiple sports has been a benefit, he said.
“Remind others of the positive benefits, one thing about us is we’re never aware of what we’re capable of until we do it, sports brings out the inner child in us, which is healthy and beneficial to many facets of our life, they might end up enjoying it.”
