Fla. kicking off crackdown on underage drinking

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Underage students and fans who kick off the college football season with a beer or cocktail may find themselves spending up to 60 days behind bars.

That’s the maximum penalty in Florida for drinking while under 21.

State beverage agents will be checking out stadium parking lots at season openers across Florida on Saturday to make sure tailgaters abide by the age limit and other drinking laws.

The crackdown is one element of a partnership with the alcoholic beverage industry known as TURF — short for Tailgaters Urging Responsibility and Fun.

Now in its third year, TURF also includes public service announcements by former college and pro football star Boomer Esiason who urges fans to “tailgate responsibly.”