Former Gator football players created the endowed scholarship
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – What started as an idea to honor the 50th anniversary of Leonard George and Willie Jackson, Sr., becoming the first African-American scholarship football players at the University of Florida, has come to fruition. The endowed football scholarship has now reached a milestone of $50,000.
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, Sr., 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 goal is to raise $250,000, with the $50,000 marking the first significant milestone. The idea was born in the fall of 2020 and came to life in November with the fund’s creation.
The duo was recognized on Homecoming before the thrilling, 24-13, victory over then-ranked No. 7 Auburn in 2019. The 2019 season marked the 50-year reunion of the 1969 Gators. George and Jackson, Sr., signed their historic scholarships the same week in December of 1968.
