What came after the Florida Gators' national title win is what has people talking

In many ways, the culmination of the men’s NCAA college basketball tournament managed to perfectly capture the essence of the Florida Gators’ fearless leader, Walter Clayton Jr.

In many ways, the culmination of the men’s NCAA college basketball tournament managed to perfectly capture the essence of the Florida Gators’ fearless leader, Walter Clayton Jr. 

With time ticking down, Clayton, a senior guard, watched as Houston Cougars sharpshooter Emmanuel Sharp (the name is serendipitous) caught a pass at the top of the key and geared up for a potential game-winning 3. 

Clayton — alone in the paint — raced to the top of the key, leaped high in the air and managed to affect Sharp’s view of the hoop so severely that the Sharp tried to land without shooting the ball, which would constitute a clear "up and down" traveling violation and an automatic turnover. 

Instead, Sharp dropped the ball, a scramble ensued, and the Florida Gators sealed their third championship as time expired, stunning Cougars fans as the Gators and their fan base erupted in euphoria. 

Walter Clayton Jr.; Emanuel Sharp.Getty ImagesBut it’s what Clayton did next that served as a reminder that there’s truth to that old adage “It’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game.”