Gator Greats Leak and Gaffney Take Their Place in Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame
Friday, October 30, 2015 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The annual Florida-Georgia game in Jacksonville is one of college football's great spectacles.
It remains the most unique atmosphere former Gators quarterback Chris Leak has experienced in football, and Leak has spent time in the NFL, CFL and AFL since his days as a record-setting quarterback at Florida from 2003-06.
“That game was always my favorite game of the season,'' Leak said this week. “It's just different than any other game you will ever play in. It's more unique than a bowl game or any other rivalry game because of that setting. That's why I loved playing in it so much.
“The game means so much to so many people. It's a rewarding experience for everybody. Both teams and both fan bases.”
View image | gettyimages.comFor Leak and former Gators All-American receiver Jabar Gaffney, the Florida-Georgia game continues to deliver rewards. Leak and Gaffney are being inducted into the Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame today in Jacksonville along with former Georgia defensive tackle Richard Seymour and kicker Rex Robinson.
Both enjoyed tremendous success in the game during their college careers.
Leak started four consecutive years for UF against Georgia, winning three games and completing 61 percent of his passes for 753 yards, five touchdowns and one interception. A Jacksonville native who played at Raines High School, Gaffney played in the game twice and tormented Georgia's defense.
“We won,'' Gaffney said when asked what he remembered most about the rivalry. “Seeing all the Gator fans cheering and happy we won, and seeing all the Georgia fans walking out upset.”
The Gators defeated Georgia in 2000 and 2001 as Gaffney hauled in 17 catches for 281 yards and two touchdowns, surpassing 100 yards receiving in each game. Gaffney later spent 11 seasons in the NFL and played in a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots.
Gaffney's uncle Don Gaffney, a former Gators quarterback, entered the Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame in 2005 alongside current UF Athletic Director Jeremy Foley.
“It's a huge honor,'' Gaffney said. “I'm blessed. It's something that will always be there.”
Leak and Gaffney will be honored at a luncheon today at EverBank Field and will be honored on the field prior to Saturday's game between the No. 11-ranked Gators (6-1, 4-1) and Bulldogs (5-2, 3-2).
The Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame is celebrating its 20-year anniversary this year and includes many of the greatest players and coaches to appear in the rivalry.
Leak, who experienced the game as a coach for the first time last year when he was Florida's receivers coach, recalled watching Gaffney and former UF quarterback Rex Grossman connect several times in the Florida-Georgia games he watched in high school.
That is when Leak knew he wanted to be part of the rivalry one day.
“I was fortunate to play in that rivalry four times,'' he said. “I don't take that blessing lightly. Not many guys have that opportunity. To experience that four times in my career, that was huge for me.”
Leak is currently in his first season working with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their football development department, which has an emphasis on growing interest in the game on the grassroots level.
Meanwhile, Gaffney played his final season in the NFL in 2012 and has returned to Jacksonville to be close to his family and friends. He said he never attended the Florida-Georgia game in person until he played in it, always watching on TV.
That will change Saturday.
“That will be my first time going inside and watching the game,'' he said. “I've been down there for the tailgating.”
