GATORS AT 100

George, Jackson Broke Barrier

By JOEY JOHNSTON The Tampa Tribune

Published: Jul 15, 2006

It was the biggest week of Leonard George's high school football career. In two days, his Jesuit Tigers would play for the 1968 Class 1A state championship at Tampa Stadium. But first came the most momentous decision of his life.

The University of Florida, finally prepared to break the color barrier, had offered a scholarship. George, a running back who was the only black player on Jesuit's team, could become a pioneer. Or he could listen to the crowd.

"People advised me it was not a good choice," George later said. "I was told I'd run into a lot of prejudice and it wouldn't be a good situation."

George listened to his heart.

He signed with the Gators.

And in 1970, George became the first black player to score a touchdown against Alabama at Tuscaloosa's Bryant-Denny Stadium.

"This [signing a black player] was a pretty big moment in the program's history," said former Gators coach Ray Graves, who was in charge when Florida signed George on Dec. 17, 1968. "Obviously, there was a lot of attention given to it. So I felt it was important to have the right kind of person because he would be known for this, probably for the rest of his life.

"I think we got the right ones."

One day after George signed with UF, the Gators also secured Willie Jackson, a wide receiver from Sarasota. Jackson was a three-year starter who caught 75 passes for 1,170 yards and eight touchdowns. George, meanwhile, was shifted to defensive back, where he started as a junior and senior.

"Naturally, there was the apprehension of not knowing what to expect, but people were sensitive to the changes," said George, who celebrated his UF scholarship by scoring four touchdowns in Jesuit's 39-25 win against Kathleen, capping a brilliant prep career.

"Willie Jackson and myself were accepted. Just the fact that it happened, the fact that Florida began to sign more black players, it showed that the university and the state was ready for sociological change."

By 1973, a black player (Don Gaffney) was starting at quarterback and another (Nat Moore) became the school's single-season rushing leader.

"It was a pretty tumultuous time on college campuses," said former Gators coach Doug Dickey (1970-78). "The Vietnam war. Integration. A lot was going on.

"Team unity was more important than ever. Leonard and Willie were great players, great teammates, so that period of time really was smoother than some people had anticipated. It finally reached the point where the ones you recruited and played were the best athletes - as it should be."

George returned to Florida and received his law degree in 1980. Jackson's sons, Willie Jr. and Terry, were members of Florida's SEC championships in the 1990s and reached the NFL.

Leonard George and Willie Jackson could be viewed as answers to a trivia question. In truth, their contributions to UF were anything but trivial.

Reporter Joey Johnston can be reached at (813) 259-7353 or jjohnston@tampatrib.com.