Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis heading to Ireland, will cheer on FSU football in Dublin opener
The sold-out crowd at Florida State football's overseas opener in Ireland will include a high-profile guest:
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
DeSantis and his family are scheduled to attend the No. 10 Seminoles' game against Georgia Tech in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland, Saturday, Aug. 24, sources with knowledge of the governor's plans said on Friday.
Game organizers last week announced the game was sold-out (47,000 capacity), with more than 27,000 international fans expected to attend.
The governor's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment about his trip. A spokesperson sent a thumbs up emoji when asked if any officials would like to share details of the trip.
It also isn't known whether DeSantis will combine a trade mission with his visit, as he has done when he traveled abroad in recent years.
Last year, for example, DeSantis led an international business development mission to four nations: Israel, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom.
And also, this won't be the first time DeSantis has showed to cheer on FSU at a major event.
Even though it wasn't on his official schedule, DeSantis attended the Seminoles' opener against Tennessee at the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska, last June.
Link Jarrett talking to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who told him he’ll be back with his wife if FSU makes it to the championship series. pic.twitter.com/bMVEr7EOcU
— Curt Weiler (@CurtMWeiler) June 16, 2024
DeSantis also came to FSU's defense last football season, when the Seminoles were left out of the College Football Playoffs despite finishing the regular-season undefeated and winning the ACC Championship.
"What we learned today is that you can go undefeated and win your conference championship game, but the College Football Playoff committee will ignore these results," DeSantis posted. "Congratulations to @FSUFootball on an outstanding season and winning the ACC championship!"
The Seminoles lost to Georgia in the Orange Bowl on Dec. 30 at 4 p.m. at Hard Rock Stadium after many of FSU's frontline players opted out of the game.
FSU and coach Mike Norvell enter their noon opener against Georgia Tech on ESPN as a 12.5-point favorite.
The Seminoles are scheduled to depart for Ireland Wednesday. They will remain in Ireland following the game for a scheduled day of sight-seeing, including a city bus tour.
Florida State football schedule 2024
Week 0: vs. Georgia Tech, noon Saturday, August 24 in Dublin, Ireland
Week 1: vs. Boston College, 7:30 p.m. Monday, September 2
Week 2: Open
Week 3: vs. Memphis, noon Saturday, September 14
Week 4: vs. California, Saturday, September 21
Week 5: at SMU, Saturday, September 28
Week 6: vs. Clemson, Saturday, October 5
Week 7: Open
Week 8: at Duke, 7 p.m. Friday, October 18
Week 9: at Miami, Saturday, October 26
Week 10: vs. North Carolina, Saturday, November 2
Week 11: at Notre Dame, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, November 9
Week 12: Open
Week 13: vs. Charleston Southern, Saturday, November 23
Week 14: vs. Florida, Saturday, November 30
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: DeSantis going to Ireland for Florida State football opener
