Chris Leak facts for kids
|
|
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 3, 1985 Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| 1999–2002 | Independence HS (NC) |
| 2003–2006 | Florida |
| 2007 | Chicago Bears* |
| 2008 | Hamilton Tiger-Cats |
| 2008–2010 | Montreal Alouettes |
| 2011 | Saskatchewan Roughriders |
| 2012 | Jacksonville Sharks |
| 2012 | Orlando Predators |
| Position(s) | Quarterback |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 2013 | Florida (GA) |
| 2014 | Florida (WR) |
| 2016 | Edgewater HS (FL) |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Awards | |
|
|
Christopher Patrick Leak (born May 3, 1985) is an American football coach and former quarterback. He played college football for the University of Florida. Chris led the Florida Gators to win the 2007 BCS National Championship. Leak also played professionally for several teams. These included the Chicago Bears in the National Football League (NFL). He also played for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League (CFL). Later, he joined the Jacksonville Sharks and Orlando Predators in the Arena Football League (AFL).
Contents
Early Life and High School Football
Chris Leak was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1985. He gained national attention very early. When he was an 8th grader in 1998, he was offered a college football scholarship. This was from Wake Forest coach Jim Caldwell.
Leak went to Independence High School in Charlotte. He played for the Independence Patriots high school football team. As the Patriots' starting quarterback for four years, Leak led his team to three state championships in a row. He set many records in North Carolina. These included career passing yards (15,593) and career completions (1,013). He also set a national record for touchdown passes (185). Many people consider him one of the best high school quarterbacks ever. In 2003, he was named a Parade magazine All-American. He was also Parade's Player of the Year.
College Football Career at Florida
Leak received a scholarship to the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. He played for the Florida Gators football teams from 2003 to 2006. He played under coaches Ron Zook and Urban Meyer. Leak was known for being a quiet leader. His teammates chose him as a team captain for two of his four years.
Freshman Season Success
Leak started his college career as a freshman. He began playing in the first few games. He then became the starting quarterback against the Kentucky Wildcats. Leak finished his first year with a Southeastern Conference (SEC) record for a freshman. He had a 6–3 record as a starter. This included wins over the LSU Tigers and the Georgia Bulldogs. Leak was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team. He also made Rivals.com's Freshman All-America Team.
Sophomore and Junior Seasons
In his sophomore season in 2004, Leak's skills improved. He became one of the top quarterbacks in college football. He started all of Florida's games. He even set a school record by throwing six touchdowns in one game. This was against the South Carolina Gamecocks. After some tough games and changes, coach Ron Zook was replaced.
In December 2004, Urban Meyer became Florida's new head coach. He brought his spread offense style to the Gators. Dan Mullen became the new offensive coordinator. This was Leak's third offensive coordinator in three years. For his 2005 junior season, Leak had to learn a new offense again. He was even considered a possible Heisman Trophy candidate. Leak won his first five games, including a big win over the Tennessee Volunteers. He received second-team All-SEC honors that year.
Senior Season and National Championship
Before his 2006 senior season, some wondered if Leak would still be the starting quarterback. This was because of a talented freshman named Tim Tebow. But Coach Meyer publicly said Leak would be the starter. He confirmed Tim Tebow would be the backup. The 2006 season was a great year for Leak. He led the Gators to their first SEC Championship since 2000. They also earned a spot in the 2007 BCS National Championship Game. This was against the Ohio State Buckeyes. It was the Gators' first championship game appearance since 1996.
Leak also broke many Gators' passing records. These records were held by Heisman Trophy-winner Danny Wuerffel. Leak broke Wuerffel's career passing yards record during the 2006 SEC championship game. He again received second-team All-SEC honors.
Leak led the Florida Gators to win their second national championship. They beat the Ohio State Buckeyes 41–14 on January 8, 2007. Leak was named the offensive Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the game. He played very well, completing his first nine passes. He finished with 25 completions out of 36 attempts for 213 yards and one touchdown.
Leak was also a great student. He was on the SEC Academic Honor Roll every year. He was a finalist for the Draddy Trophy, also known as the "Academic Heisman." He graduated from the University of Florida with honors in December 2006. He gave a speech at his graduation ceremony.
Professional Football Career
Chris Leak played for several professional football leagues after college.
NFL Experience
Leak was not chosen in the 2007 NFL draft. However, the Chicago Bears signed him right after the draft. He worked with the team during the summer of 2007. He only played in the final preseason game. There, he completed 11 of 16 passes for 88 yards, with one interception and one touchdown. He was later released by the Bears. In 2008, Leak tried out for the Kansas City Chiefs.
AAFL and CFL
In November 2007, Leak planned to play for Team Florida in the All American Football League (AAFL). He was drafted by Team Florida. However, the AAFL's first season was postponed and later canceled. This was due to money issues and low ticket sales.
On June 3, 2008, Leak signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He then joined the Montreal Alouettes on June 9. On August 21, 2009, Leak threw his first CFL touchdown pass on his very first play. The Montreal Alouettes went on to win the Grey Cup in 2009.
On August 19, 2010, Leak stepped in as quarterback for the Alouettes. He led them to a 39–17 win. Leak made his first CFL start on September 3, 2010. The Montreal Alouettes won the Grey Cup again in 2010. On May 5, 2011, Leak signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He was released from the Roughriders on June 25, 2011.
Arena Football League
On September 26, 2011, Leak signed with the Jacksonville Sharks in the Arena Football League (AFL). In his only game with the Sharks, Leak completed 21 of 31 passes for 196 yards and five touchdowns. This led to a 52–28 victory. On April 23, 2012, Leak signed with the Orlando Predators. He was their starting quarterback for the rest of the 2012 season. With Orlando in 2012, Leak threw for 2,793 yards and 55 touchdowns. He also had two rushing touchdowns.
Life After Playing Football
After his playing career, Chris Leak worked as a host on SiriusXM College Sports Coast-to-Coast. He co-hosted with Chris Childers during the 2012 college football season.
In May 2013, Will Muschamp, the Florida Gators head coach, added Leak to his staff. Leak became a graduate assistant. He helped coach the team's offense. In May 2014, Leak was promoted to wide receivers coach.
In 2015, Leak worked in football development and youth outreach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In February 2016, he was hired as the head coach for the football team at Edgewater High School in Orlando, Florida. Leak resigned from this position on October 4. He currently lives in Orlando, Florida.
Chris Leak also worked with the Boys and Girls Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. He helped the Steele Creek Youth Athletic Association. He was also an inspirational speaker for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He spoke at middle schools, encouraging students to focus on their goals.
See also
- List of Chicago Bears players
- List of University of Florida alumni
|
