| No. 26, 45 | |
| Born: | (1955-05-19)May 19, 1955 (age 69) Starke, Florida, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Career information | |
| Status | Retired |
| CFL status | American |
| Position(s) | RB |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) |
| Weight | 192 lb (87 kg) |
| College | Florida State |
| High school | Merritt Island |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1977–1980 | BC Lions (CFL) |
| 1981–1983 | New York Giants |
| 1984–1985 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| CFL All-Star | 1977 |
| CFL West All-Star | 1977 |
| Awards | 1977 -Most Outstanding Rookie |
| Career stats | |
| |
Leon "Pop" Bright, Jr. (born May 19, 1955 inStarke, Florida) is a formerGridiron football player in theCanadian Football League for four years and in theNational Football League for five years.
He played Jr high school ball at Thomas Jefferson Jr High,high school football atMerritt Island High School inMerritt Island, Florida and was on the 1972 Merritt Island High, Florida Class AAAA state championship team. Bright was named to theFHSAA's All-Century Team which selected the Top 33 players in the 100-year history of high school football in the state of Florida's history.[1]
He playedcollege football atFlorida State University where he still holds the record for most yards on a kickoff return, which resulted in a touchdown.[2]
From 1977-1980, Bright playedrunning back,wide receiver,defensive back, andkickoff returner for theBC Lions.[3][4]
He also played for theNew York Giants from 1981–1983, serving as the team's primary punt returner. He was with theTampa Bay Buccaneers from 1984-1985.
Bright was selected to the Lions' 2004 50th Anniversary Dream Team. In 2006, he was the head coach for theDaytona Beach Thunder arena football team.
Leon also runs the Leon Bright Charitable Foundation. His foundation works with underprivileged kids and families.
He is the eldest of 10 children and also the eldest of 23 paternal grandchildren. Bright and wife, Tammy, currently reside inVolusia County, Florida. He has four children and four grandchildren.[citation needed]
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