George and Jackson were the first Black Florida football scholarship players
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Two trailblazers in the storied history of Florida football will be honored at the season opener on Sept. 4 against FAU in the Swamp. Leonard George and Willie Jackson Sr. became the first Black scholarship football players at the University of Florida when they signed their historic papers in 1968.
George put pen to paper on Dec. 17, 1968 and three days later, Jackson did the same. The signings initiated a new era in Florida football.
The duo will be honorary captains and recognized before kickoff. As part of Florida’s opening weekend, George and Jackson will receive additional recognition.
“Leonard George and Willie Jackson Sr., made a significant impact on Florida football history,” UF Athletics Director Scott Stricklin said. “Their willingness to step in and become the first Black football players at UF took courage and strength, and they helped our university and our football program take a major step in the right direction toward racial equality. We’re grateful for everything they’ve done for Florida and all that they have meant, then and now.”
Jackson had a productive career with the Gators, totaling 75 receptions for 1,170 yards and eight touchdowns. In the 1970 season opener against Duke, Jackson was the first Black player to appear in a game in a Florida uniform.
“It’s an opportunity for us, 50 years later, to see that, ‘OK, some of the things we went through weren’t in vain,” Jackson said. “What we did, what it meant, it didn’t fall through the cracks. We made a difference.”
George, a star tailback at Jesuit High in Tampa, became the first Black player to record a touchdown in Gators history when he scored at Alabama on a 1-yard plunge on Sept. 26, 1970. George later shifted to defensive back, where he started as a junior and senior.
“It means so much. When you think about all the things that are happening around our nation right now, the things our country is dealing with – Black Lives Matter, the social justice issues – this is a time to show everybody that it’s hard to take anything for granted,” George said. “When me and Willie came around it was very, very different than this time. To go back and be recognized in front of all those people, basically 50 years later, is just amazing. I have to say, I’m glad the two of us are still around, because to be a part of this and be recognized as the first ones is exciting.”
Their legacy is also being celebrated in a different way. A dedicated group of former Gator football players came together and created the Leonard George and Willie Jackson Sr. Scholarship Endowment. The scholarship endowment will provide funding for football scholarships in perpetuity and continue the legacy of George and Jackson for generations.
Jimmy DuBose, Melvin Flournoy, John Williams and Wayne Fields were the original group to come up with the idea and continue to push the success of the endowed scholarship. The idea was born in the fall of 2020 and came to life in November with the fund’s creation. For more information on the endowment, click HERE<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.gatorboosters.org_giving-2Dopportunities.html-23endowments&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=NbUZGYImXjf9sj2XHiThvC2IlEm8PrCIwaeU18pX9u0&s=JtuRE06ZFRcd9BE5o8WhbZYcyR0zSQF5tUHYxm-5QHE&e= >.
