Hall of Fame

2017-2018 Inductees

Leon Washington

Leon Dewitt Washington was born on August 29, 1982 in Jacksonville, Florida. Washington attended Richard L Brown Elementary School, Kings Trail Elementary School and Matthew Gilbert Middle School where he developed a passion for football while playing in the Pop Warner league. He went on to Andrew Jackson High School where he starred on the field earning the Florida’s 2001 “Mr. Football” designation. Leon Washington received an athletic scholarship to attend Florida State University, where he played for the Seminoles team from 2002 to 2005. Washington became the only player in the Bobby Bowden era to score touchdowns in five different ways – by run, reception, punt return, kick off return and fumble recovery.

In the January 1, 2005 Gator Bowl, Leon Washington carried Florida State much of the day, finishing with 195 yards rushing. He went 69 yards down the right sideline on the game’s second play for the longest TD run in Gator Bowl history, a record he held until the 2008 Gator Bowl game. He had 135 yards by halftime and had only 12 carries for the game, or else he might have challenged the Gator Bowl record of 216 yards by Syracuse’s Floyd Little against Tennessee in 1966. His outstanding performance earned him the designation as the Most Valuable Player of the 2005 Gator Bowl, which represented just one of the numerous awards he received throughout his college football career.

Washington was selected in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft to the New York Jets where, in 2008, he lead the NFL in all purpose yardage. In addition to the New York Jets, Leon Washington went on to play nine years in the NFL playing for the Seattle Seahawks, New England Patriots and the Tennessee Titans. During this time, he earned All Pro and was selected to the Pro Bowl multiple times.

Since retiring from the NFL, Leon Washington insisted on giving back to our youth and established the Leon Washington Foundation in 2013, with the stated mission to assist low income Jacksonville families with education, sports, and life skills. Washington’s Foundation weekend is a much anticipated event every year hosting 500 plus kids at his annual football camp!

Aside from all of Washington’s achievements, his greatest ones are the gifts of his children, Leon. Jr. age 12; Noel, age 8, Nolen, age 6 and Alissa, age 8 months.

LT General Ronald L. Bailey, USMC (Ret.)

Lieutenant General Bailey was born in St. Augustine, Florida and graduated from Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. On 1 July 1977, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant.

After graduation from The Basic School, Infantry Officers Course and the Basic Communication Officers Course in August 1978, he was ordered to the 3d Marine Division in Okinawa, Japan to serve with 2d Battalion, 4th Marines as a Rifle Platoon Commander and 81mm Mortar Platoon Commander.

Lieutenant General Bailey career took him all over the world to serve in various capacities. In July 2007, he assumed command of the 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade, and concurrently began duties as the Deputy Commanding General, III MEF.

In August 2009, he transferred to San Diego, California and assumed command of Marine Corps Recruit Depot/Western Recruiting Region. Lieutenant General Bailey assumed command of Marine Corps Recruiting Command in January 2011.

In June 2011, Lieutenant General Bailey was assigned to Camp Pendleton, California and assumed command as the Commanding General 1st Marine Division.

In June 2013, Lieutenant General Bailey was promoted to his current rank and assigned to Headquarters Marine Corps as the Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies, and Operations.

From June 2013 – July 2017, Lieutenant General Bailey served as the Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies, and Operations.

Lieutenant General Bailey’s awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal with bronze oak leaf, Legion of Merit with combat V, Meritorious Service Medal with 2 gold stars, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star, the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, and the Combat Action Ribbon.

Lieutenant General Bailey has been an integral part of the TaxSlayer Bowl (formerly Gator Bowl) for the last seven years. During this time, he has assisted in creating and maintaining an exceptional partnership between the United States Marine Corps and the TaxSlayer Bowl.