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Credited Source: jacksonville.com 1/4/07

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That last sentence pretty much sums up Leak's personality. Though he arrived in Gainesville in 2003 with a
national-record 185 touchdown passes under his belt at Independence High School in Charlotte, N.C., Leak
didn't demand attention from the media. While freshman Justin Midgett was boasting that he was going to
be the starter on opening day, Leak was secluding himself in the film room for hours.

Leak didn't complain about sharing playing time with Ingle Martin and Gavin Dickey in the first three games
of the 2003 season, and when Leak finally got his first start in the fourth game, he made it memorable. He
helped UF rally from a 21-3 fourth-quarter deficit to beat Kentucky 24-21 by throwing two touchdown passes
and two two-point conversion passes. He's been Florida's starter ever since.

"I remember a hostile environment, a come-from-behind victory," Leak said. "Your first start is always going
to be one of those special times in your career you'll never forget."

There are other things he won't forget, either:

A home loss to Mississippi the following week, then leading the Gators to a 19-7 upset of eventual national-
champion LSU in Baton Rouge.

A late-game drive that lead to a game-winning field goal against Georgia.

The embarrassing loss at Mississippi State in 2004, then coach Ron Zook's firing two days later.

Six touchdown passes against South Carolina.

The first victory against Florida State in Tallahassee since 1986 in Zook's final game as UF's coach.

Throwing for a career-low 107 yards against LSU and failing to get the offense in the end zone (the first time
that had happened in 13 years) in a 31-3 loss at Alabama last season.

There are other highlights (leading the SEC in passing in 2004) and lowlights, too, especially Meyer's
criticisms of Leak's leadership during spring practice and the 2005 season. Leak recalls every one of them.

"I can remember every snap I've taken as a Gator," he said. "I have every snap on film. . . . I am just happy
to have had a great career here. I will be able to look back on my Gator career and be proud of it."

Especially his senior season, in which he led the Gators to come-from-behind victories against Tennessee
and Arkansas along the way to the school's first SEC title since 2000. The past four months are another
testament to Leak's demeanor. How many senior quarterbacks that have started for nearly three full
seasons would have handled being pulled for a freshman inside the red zone with as much grace as Leak
has?

Not many.

"I've never had that mind-set [of getting all the playing time]," Leak said. "I've always had the mind-set of
looking at how I can help my team win. That's always my mind-set, ever since I got here. I'm more
concerned with giving everything I've got for these guys."

What he's given himself, in addition to passing records, is a chance to be only the second quarterback in
school history with a national championship ring.

"Ever since he came in and stepped in as a freshman, he's showed up in big games," Cornelius said. "He
comes to work every day and never complains.

"A guy like that, he deserves [it]."

The school's record holder in passing yards (11,000),
completions (870), attempts (1,422) and 200-yard games (32) is
being remembered for 53 of his 130 career rushing yards? It's
just another example of how strange Leak's career at Florida has
been.

He arrived as one of the best prep quarterbacks in history, won
the starting job four games into his freshman season, went on to
lead the SEC in passing, played for three offensive coordinators,
has his leadership abilities questioned, shares playing time as a
senior with a player who is a much better fit for UF's offense than
he is and leads the Gators to an SEC title.

That's a lot to cram into four years, yet Leak persevered and has
the Gators in the BCS national championship game.

"I respect Chris Leak as much as I respect any football player,"
UF coach Urban Meyer said. "He has been through - it has been
well-documented - three coordinators, two coaching staffs,
different styles of offense. Chris has been the one constant. The
ego doesn't get in the way."

Gator Football 1/4/07

QB Leak has endured many ups and downs in UF career

Chris Leak has thrown for more yards than any other
quarterback in University of Florida history.

But Jemalle Cornelius will always remember UF's senior
quarterback for what he did with his legs.

A pair of runs - a 45-yarder against Alabama and an 8-yarder
against South Carolina that kept a fourth-quarter touchdown
drive alive - are the plays that will come to the senior receiver's
mind whenever someone asks him about Leak.

"A lot of people don't expect him to do stuff like that, pull the ball
down and run and get key first downs for us and make plays,"
Cornelius said. "When he does it, it's a big surprise to us all."

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