GETTING TO KNOW… CHRIS LEAK From the NFL to CFL to AFL, this former Florida Gator has got game. BY KERRY SPECKMAN

From the first time he picked up a football at the age of eight in his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina, Chris Leak, 26, didn’t have an interest in any other sport—which is not surprising, considering his father, Curtis, and older brother, C.J., both played in the NFL. And when Leak played in the North Carolina Youth Football League (which, by the way, was founded by his father), he didn’t have an interest in playing any other position but . His myopic view obviously paid off as he was a star player in high school (he was named Parade’s Player of the Year in 2003), led the Florida Gators to the 2006 national championship (and was voted game MVP), played for the in 2007 and spent three years in the , where he won the Grey Cup with the in 2009 and 2010. Now as a member of the ’s , the 6’, 220-pound QB is eager to take the team to its second consecutive Arena Bowl Championship and possibly get back to the NFL. We caught up with Leak after the team’s final day of training camp, where he gave us some more personal stats.

• Leak met his wife, Latria, at the when she was interviewing him for a college magazine. They’ve been married for four years and have a 2-year-old daughter, Trinity. He lives in Orlando but will stay in Jacksonville during the season.

• His personal and professional philosophy is shaped by a quote from former NBA coach Phil Jackson: “Anger is the enemy of instruction.”

• Leak has always taken his position as a role model “very seriously.” He says his conduct on and off the field not only represents him, his teammates and the organization he’s playing for, but also his family.

• Though he’s a righty, Leak can throw left-handed and warms up for games by throwing passes with both arms. He’s even completed a pass during a game throwing lefty.

• He has worn the number 12 since high school. He chose it because 12 was also his brother’s number and for the number’s significance in The Holy Bible.

• Whether it’s practicing, watching films, working out, studying plays or getting treatment, pro foot- ball is a seven-days-a-week job. When he does have free time, Leak enjoys video games (especially Call of Duty and “anything Madden”) and playing golf. Y

• Having transitioned from NCAA to NFL to CFL E K O

and now to AFL rules, Leak admits there’s a defi- O T S nite learning curve. “I’m still getting accustomed to Y E L

the smaller field and the indoor environment,” he D A

says. Being so close to the crowd is different too, R B “but I always know where the Florida fans are!” ✽

90 | JACKSONVILLEMAG.COM APRIL 2012