THE LORE OF FLORIDA MAN

THE LORE OF FLORIDA MAN

And the Blue Collar Barefoot Brawler

Words by Ambar Ramirez & Carmen Macri

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

We’ve read the headlines, seen the memes and watched the news — “Florida man arrested for trying to get alligator drunk.” “Florida man charged with DUI after driving scooter into Walmart shelves.” “Florida man shot Walmart drone because he thought it was ‘watching him.’” But who is Florida Man, really?

It all began back in 2013. The now abandoned Twitter account @_FloridaMan, created by magazine editor Freddie Campion, began posting news articles from various news outlets, all containing headlines that included “Florida Man …” The account quickly became popular and “Florida Man” became a nationwide meme. Because of how news headlines are usually written, they were creatively misinterpreted to imply that the subjects of the articles are all a single individual known as the “Florida Man,” not a variety of people. And now, any sort of bizarre or “too good to be true” news is inherently intertwined with “Florida Man.” For example, a person of interest in, let’s say, Texas, could commit an outlandish crime and still be labeled as a “Florida Man” on social media, even though they are clearly not from the Sunshine State.

Florida Man in Pop Culture

In essence, Florida Man evolved into what Campion aptly dubbed “the world’s worst superhero.” Much like the way traditional superheroes spawn movies and action figures, “Florida Man” inspires TV shows, games and even songs — each more stereotypical than the last.

In 2023, Netflix debuted an American crime drama limited series featuring a disgraced police officer dispatched back to his native Florida for a dubious assignment. Edgar Ramirez portrays the down-on-his-luck cop, who, unaware that the supposed “quick gig” is anything but brief, embarks on a mission that swiftly transforms into a voyage of self-discovery, uncovering family secrets and grappling with the futility of his efforts to do what’s right. As numerous articles about “Florida Man” suggest, they often find themselves simply striving to follow their own interpretation of what constitutes the “right thing.”

Then there’s the Blue Öyster Cult song, “Florida Man.” We’ll let some of the lyrics speak for themselves: “High on meth, there’s little Beth, The neighbor’s cat is on her breath (Florida man). Dan dreams he’s got red wings of fire, He’s waking an’ shaking on a power wire.”

Clearly, we know what the band thinks about Florida and the infamous “Florida Man.”

But leave it to Florida to monopolize the questionable label and produce the Florida Man Games. Known for being the “wildest competition” in sport, the Florida Man Games is an annual satirical sporting event in St. Augustine with competitions that are … unique to Florida, like the “Evading Arrest Obstacle Course,” “Eat the Butt Challenge” and “Hurricane Party Prep: Grocery Aisle Brawl.” Of course, it wouldn’t be a Florida sporting event without a mechanical gator, mullet contest and a gator show where spectators can take selfies with our swampy creatures.

The Real Florida Man

Jacksonville has its own “Florida Man.” Actually, Mike Dragich, who defies the sensational headlines and TV stereotypes, is even better. Dragich, 34, known on social media as the Blue Collar Brawler, has a remarkable history with Florida’s iconic reptiles. So much so, that when local police receive calls about nuisance alligators in residential areas, they turn to Dragich for help. Dragich is happy to oblige, usually showing up barefoot, wearing jorts and a cut-off flannel — does it get any more Florida than that?

The licensed alligator trapper both defies and transcends the stereotype of the typical Florida Man. While there are plenty of headlines about the latest “Florida Man” who wrangled a 10-foot gator outside an elementary school, Dragich is much more than the typical “Florida Man grabs alligator, chases customers in-store while on a beer run” headline (yes, that is a real news article). His social media fame is equal parts safely rehoming alligators and using the gator’s teeth to shotgun a beer (hence defies and transcends the stereotype).

When he’s not capturing and rehoming alligators, Dragich, an ex-Marine, is an esteemed mixed martial arts fighter and the owner of Doody Daddy, a pet waste management company.

Dragich also founded Project Savior Outdoors, a Florida-based ministry dedicated to helping veterans combat PTSD by connecting them with nature and sharing their love of Christ.

Born in Ohio, Dragich always prioritized the safety of his friends and family over his own. However, after relocating to South Florida, he found himself without anyone to protect him in return. In his early 20s, Dragich became a victim of gang-related violence and was left for dead following a shooting. Dragich took off running after a friend pushed him out of the way of a second bullet. Dragich ran for what felt like forever until collapsing in a stranger’s backyard — falling in and out of consciousness. Miraculously, his friend traced his blood trail for a mile through the pitch-black night, saving his life. This harrowing experience ultimately led Dragich to join the Marine Corps.

The Gator Wrangler

We know what you are thinking, how does one become a professional gator wrangler? We can’t speak for most, but for Dragich, it was long nights spent watching countless YouTube videos.

“It’s random. Trial and error. DIY baby, you gotta watch YouTube, a lot,” Dragich said in a recent interview with Fox News, regarding capturing the 10-foot alligator outside of an elementary school in Moncrief. “So when you approach an alligator — this doesn’t go for everybody out there, stay away from alligators, obviously — but when I approach an alligator, I do my best to get them tired. That is why I’ll be poking and prodding. Once they are tired, the work happens. Then you can subdue the animal and get them out of there.”

Though self-taught, Dragich works with the Florida Nuisance Alligator Program. Across the state, there are 102 “trappers” who get roughly 10,000 calls per year. Florida is like its very own Gotham City, but except for villains we have alligators, and instead of Batman, we have Dragich.

“I’ve said it man; I feel like Batman,” Dragich said during his interview with Fox News.

And before you get the wrong idea, when called, Dragich does not harm any of the nuisance gators. He simply wrangles and relocates them out of residential areas. He constantly works to dispel the misconception that he harms these animals, especially when uninformed commenters suggest that the alligators should be left alone.

“If a creepy old guy that lives down the street keeps coming to your backyard uninvited, do you let him play with your grandkids or do you have him removed?” Dragich responded on one of his recent Instagram posts. What you should do is call the real Florida Man, who will show up in his signature outfit and take care of the scaly situation with expert precision.

Off Duty

Dragich is the epitome of a jack of all trades. When he isn’t wrestling gators barefoot on highways, fighting wrestlers in the ring or working at his pet waste management company, he can be found doing what he is most passionate about — helping veterans combat PTSD.

At 2 a.m. on an ordinary night, Dragich received a FaceTime call that would change everything — a fellow Marine had a gun pointed to his head and reached out to Dragich as a last resort.

For three hours, Dragich prayed for him over the phone, ultimately saving his friend’s life. This profound experience inspired Dragich to help others in similar situations, leading to the creation of Project Savior Outdoors.

The nonprofit’s primary mission is to “fight the battle within” by fostering community and igniting a sense of purpose. Through activities such as gator hunting, deer hunting, hog hunting, duck hunting, inshore fishing and offshore fishing, Dragich aims to empower others to overcome adversity and prevent veteran suicide.

Don’t Try This at Home: Who Ya Gonna Call?

Alligator wrangling is an incredibly dangerous activity that should never be attempted by amateurs. These powerful reptiles possess immense strength and agility, making them highly unpredictable and difficult to control. One of the most significant risks is their bite, which can exert an average pressure of about 2,125 pounds per square inch. This formidable bite force is capable of crushing bones and inflicting severe injuries in an instant. The sheer power of an alligator’s jaws, combined with its quick reflexes, makes handling them a perilous endeavor that requires specialized training and experience (or hours and hours spent on YouTube).

For your safety and the well-being of the alligator, it is always best to call a professional when dealing with these creatures. Trained wildlife experts have the necessary skills, equipment and knowledge to handle alligators safely and humanely. They understand the behavior and physiology of these animals, allowing them to manage situations effectively and minimize risks. Attempting to wrangle an alligator without proper expertise can lead to serious harm or even death. By contacting a professional, you ensure the alligator is dealt with appropriately and that everyone involved remains safe.

You can find Dragich’s gator-wrangling videos on his Instagram at @Bluecollar_Brawler.