Leonard George, left, and Willie Jackson Sr. on Friday in front of the mural at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in their honor. (Photo: Chris Kim/UAA Communications)
History Makers: George and Jackson Sr. Have Permanent Home at Swamp
Friday, September 3, 2021 | Football, Scott Carter
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By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — As soon as the steel roll-up doors at Gate 3 were lifted Friday at 4:42 p.m., septuagenarians Leonard George and Willie Jackson Sr. strolled in, told only that they were at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium to be honored as the first Black football players in program history.
A few steps toward the main concourse, both men caught notice of the large mural honoring them as "Barrier Breakers." They paused, smiled and fist-bumped one another as the emotion built, finally reaching the wall that now serves as a permanent home of the legacy they created more than 50 years ago.
"I had no idea,'' said George, who on Dec. 18, 1968, became the first African-American player to sign with the Gators. Three days later, Jackson did the same. "Looking at this, this is such an honor for me and Willie. I'm glad we're still around to see this."
George and Jackson were joined by former teammates, members of their families, friends and others familiar with their story and their place in history. Jackson, whose sons Willie Jackson Jr. and Terry Jackson followed in his footsteps and played for the Gators, was taken aback when he first saw the mural.
With Willie Jr. and Terry standing nearby, Willie Sr. reveled in the surprise.
"It don't get much better than this, y'all," he said. "It's fantastic, especially when we saw the mural. That took the cake. Like Leonard said, it's good for us to be here. We get a chance to see the roses, smell them and touch them."
The unveiling Friday is part of a celebration weekend for George and Jackson, who are serving as Honorary Mr. Two Bits at Florida's season opener Saturday night against FAU.
Leonard George, left, and Willie Jackson Sr. take a look at the new mural in their honor inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Friday afternoon. (Photo: Chris Kim/UAA Communications)
UF Athletic Director Scott Stricklin, former Gators head coach Steve Spurrier, former Gators track standout Ron Coleman – the first African-American student-athlete to sign a scholarship with UF – and former Gators All-American receiver Carlos Alvarez were among those in attendance.
Spurrier, with the help of a coaching whistle to get everyone's attention, told the crowd that George and Jackson deserve to be honored for what they did and what they had to overcome.
"I want to say thanks to Leonard George and Willie Jackson for everything they did for our school,'' Spurrier said. "They will have a spot in our history books forever."
As players, George and Jackson contributed beyond the distinction they hold as the first Black players in school history.
Jackson had a productive career, 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. Meanwhile, George was a star tailback at Jesuit High in Tampa, leading the school to the state championship in 1968. At Florida, he 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.
That was just a small part of their legacy according to Coleman, who arrived at UF the year prior to George and Jackson at a time when there were few African-American students on campus.
"For me, that first year, it was a bit of angst, because this was at the height of the Civil Rights Era," Coleman said Friday. "By the time Leonard and Willie stepped on campus, things were a bit better, although not completely friendly. They helped make that transition, especially during the Civil Rights Era, much easier."
Willie Jackson Sr., left, and Leonard George get their first look at the mural in their honor on Friday. (Photo: Anissa Dimilta/UAA Communications)
One of those in attendance was Martha Minahan, the wife of late Jesuit High coach Bill Minahan. Martha Minahan recalled that during trips to playoff games in the late 1960s, restaurants refused to serve the Tigers if George ate inside. Finally, Bill Minahan worked out an agreement where he would eat with George in the kitchen while the rest of the team ate in the dining room.
"I'm so excited for Leonard,'' Martha Minahan said. "This is just so special."
George and Jackson signed with the Gators during the Ray Graves era. Graves attended each of their signings – George's in Tampa and Jackson's in Sarasota – and prepped the rest of the Gators for their arrival.
Jackson said while they encountered hostilities on the road, their Florida teammates were supportive, thanks in large part to the leadership of Graves.
"If it wasn't for that, we wouldn't be here,'' Jackson said.
Once they had time to process their emotions after seeing the mural, George and Jackson took countless photos and shared stories with those in attendance. It's a day they won't forget.
One that was born from a time long ago.
"You would not think this would be possible," George said. "At that time, we had to deal with a lot of challenges."
