Walter Clayton and Florida Gators Land Unique Job After NCAA Championship
The scene at Gainesville’s Raising Cane’s this week perfectly encapsulated college basketball’s new era. Three days after cutting down the nets in San Antonio, Florida’s championship trio of Walter Clayton Jr., Alijah Martin, and Thomas Haugh found themselves behind the counter of the popular chicken chain, serving meals to adoring fans while filming a commercial.
The juxtaposition of national champions working a fast-food shift speaks volumes about the modern athlete’s experience in the NIL age.
Perhaps most telling was the crowd’s reaction. The line of fans willing to wait hours for chicken and a glimpse of their heroes underscores how NIL has transformed athlete-fan interactions. These weren’t distant celebrities behind arena walls – they were campus neighbors serving lunch and signing sauce-stained receipts.
The pre-shift rally outside the restaurant set the tone for a raucous celebration that saw over 100 fans line University Avenue. Clayton, Martin and Thomas Haugh emerged to thunderous cheers before their shift, with Martin orchestrating the call-and-response chant that echoed across campus just as it had during Monday’s championship celebration.
“It’s Great to Be a Florida Gator!” with the crowd repeating it and cheering.
Restaurant leader Seneca Cook revealed the preparation behind the scenes, with staff monitoring the championship game and immediately pivoting to plan for a potential collaboration. The result was a perfectly executed blend of celebration and commerce, as fans received championship-themed foam fingers alongside their Caniac Combos.
The event served as both a victory lap and a glimpse into the modern athlete’s world, where championship glory and brand partnerships coexist. For one morning at least, Raising Cane’s became the epicenter of Gator pride, with chicken tenders and basketball trophies sharing the spotlight.
