Marco Rubio insults FSU in Iowa radio interview

Speaking last week on a sports talk radio station in Iowa, presidential hopeful, Florida U.S. Senator, and University of Florida graduate Marco Rubio made a joke about Florida State University.

Rubio, who has a degree from the University of Florida, told KXNO-AM radio in Des Moines that "there has to be a school where people that can?t get into Florida can go to college, so that's why we have Florida State."

Recommended Videos



However, many Seminole fans did not take kindly to the comment.

On Tuesday, FSU President John Thrasher told the Tallahassee Democrat that Rubio could be "frustrated by his low standings in the polls, which I believe could be a reflection of where he got his education."

Thrasher later said the banter is all in good fun.

"I think Marco's a very gifted young man, no question about it. But, our folks took a little bit of exception to what he had to say," Thrasher said. You know, maybe they are over sensitized about the Florida/FSU relationship over so many years. So, I had to respond back and I hope he takes it in the spirit in which it was given."

Later Tuesday, via Twitter, Rubio told FSU fans to relax, saying he was simply making a joke on the sports talk radio station.

Rubio and Thrasher both served in the legislature within the past decade, and both are former speakers of the Florida House of Representatives.