MONTICELLO, Fla. (WTXL) - In 1966, Jack Youngblook led the Jefferson County Tigers to their first State football Championship in school history- their first of six so far. Youngblood's career started in Monticello, but it expands to Gainesville, Los Angeles, and Canton, Ohio.
The former NFL defensive end's accolades are a mile long, starting with a stellar career at the University of Florida, where he's one of five members in Florida's Ring of Honor. He's also in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, elected in 2001.
Along the way, he's never forgotten his start at Jefferson County High, and on Thursday night, Youngblood gave back in the way of a Golden Football, which symbolizes the NFL's new Super Bowl Honor Roll, given to high schools that produce an NFL player that also played in a Super Bowl.
Youngblood said to give back to the school that started his career is a no brainer, and he hopes his success only fuels current Tigers to reach their own.
"I just hope that me bringing back that Golden Football here tells them I can go from Monticello to LA for Super Bowl 14, or to San Francisco for Super Bowl 50," he said. "How did I do that? By the grace of God."
Youngblood still keeps up with Tiger football. He still owns a house in Jefferson County.
