By: Michael Stewart, Sports Information Director, Tuskegee University

April 23,  2013- Drayton Florence, along with Tuskegee University teammate Frank Walker, were honored as the first two football players in the history of Tuskegee Athletics to get their numbers retired by the department and were inducted into the Tuskegee Athletics Hall of Fame.  Both players were recognized with special commemorative plates at the Tuskegee University annual awards banquet held inside Logan Hall on the campus of Tuskegee University.

Florence, in his eleventh NFL season now representing the Carolina Panthers, was honored for his football career at TU from 2001 to 2002, and also recognized for his work with the Drayton Florence Foundation.  The foundation, established in 2005 as a way to motivate and educate America’s youth, expanded its’ mission in 2010 to honor the families and children of all active military personnel.  Career totals for Drayton Florence include 460 total tackles in 143 games played, with 18 interceptions for 233 return yards and two touchdowns from 86 total passes defended.

Also honored at the annual banquet was Frank Walker, Florence’s college teammate.  Walker played a total of nine seasons in the NFL between five different franchises, most recently with the Dallas Cowboys in 2011.  His career numbers amounted to 181 combined tackles, with nine interceptions for a total of 180 return yards to go with a touchdown from 29 passes defended.  Like Florence, Walker has also served as a servant of the community, by holding a free annual football camp for football players at his local high school (Booker T. Washington) in Tuskegee, which is held in the very facility that he played college football at, inside Cleve L. Abbott Stadium.

The Golden Tigers had a formidable squad with both Florence and Walker in the defensive backfield during the 2001 and 2002 seasons, as these teams with the future NFL cornerbacks had a combined record 0f 21-2, with consecutive conference championships in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC).  Walker also played his undergraduate years at Tuskegee, and a was a member of one more SIAC Championship team in 2000, which also earned the distinction of winning a Black National Championship with an undefeated record of 12-0.  Walker’s 1999 team earned his worst single season record at Tuskegee, as the Golden Tigers finished with a record of 9-3.

Florence and Walker paid respect at the annual banquet to the current iteration of Golden Tigers, which had an overall record of 10-2 and earned its’ 26^thoutright SIAC Championship (29^th overall) in Tuskegee University history.  Along with SIAC Coach of the Year Willie Slater, SIAC Player of the Year and Harlon Hill Trophy finalist Derrick Washington was honored at the banquet for key contributions in an excellent season of Golden Tigers’ Football.  Even though Washington wasn’t picked up in the 2013 NFL Draft, there is a good possibility that he may be taken as a free-agent signee before the start of the upcoming NFL season.

CHARLOTTE – The Panthers have signed unrestricted free agent cornerback Drayton Florence.

Florence, who has 18 career interceptions in 10 NFL seasons, spent 2012 with the Detroit Lions. He recorded 17 tackles, one interception and seven passes defensed in eight games with three starts.

“He is a very instinctive and smart player. There isn’t much he hasn’t seen,” general manager Dave Gettleman said. “He still has his speed, he’s still explosive. He’s a heavy-hitter when he tackles and he has the skills we were looking for. He’s a mature guy and he’s going to help our young defensive backs learn.”

Florence broke his arm in Week 2 and was placed on injured reserve before returning to the Lions lineup in Week 11.

“And he wrapped his arm up and finished that game,” Gettleman said. “That really speaks to his toughness.”

Prior to his one-year stint in Detroit, Florence spent three years with the Buffalo Bills and recorded seven interceptions in 45 starts with the franchise.

Florence played for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2008 after spending his first five seasons with the Chargers, who drafted him from Tuskegee in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft.

Florence recorded 10 interceptions and 38 passes defensed in his five years with the Chargers.

“(Head coach) Ron (Rivera) coached Drayton out in San Diego and that familiarity is another positive factor,” Gettleman said. “We are excited to have him.”

by Max Henson 
Staff Writer
panthers.com

This past Super Bowl was a very exciting, memorable time as I participated in events during the week leading up to the big game. The NFL experience was full of fans from all over the world to get a hands on experience and interaction with current and former players. I did an autograph signing and youth camp at the convention center where many kids came out and had a great time running different drills and skill stations. Derrick Brooks, Kordell Stewart and myself ran the camp with the help of Play 60 volunteers.

My favorite event of the week was the Taste of the NFL – the food was spectacular. Staying at the official NFL hotel I ran into old friends and coaches including Hall of Fame wide receiver and my former coach James Lofton and his wife. I spent a lot of time with two former teammates Spencer Johnson and Felton Huggins. It was good to run into Marshawn Lynch and Marcell Darius, former teammates from the Buffalo Bills and Willis Magahee, Mike Adams and Chris Harris from the Broncos.

There were lots of people that worked for NFL network, Nike, Home Depot, CBS Sports and the Bleacher Report that I made connections with, making the whole experience worth while. I made it back home Sunday morning with just enough time to unwind and enjoy the game!

Hopefully next year I will be PLAYING in the Super Bowl and have a great experience!

Detroit, MI and Ocala, FL (December 19, 2012) – Gearing up for the 2012 Christmas season, last week nearly 100 children and their family members experienced the generosity of the Lions newest cornerback, #31, Drayton Florence in both his NFL city of Detroit and his hometown of Ocala, FL.

On Friday, thirty-one (31) children, along with their family members, from the Lillian Bryant Community Center in Florence’s hometown of Ocala, FL experienced a holiday to remember by spending the evening with Drayton’s wife, Tiffany and members of the foundation. Everyone had the opportunity to make homemmade Christmas ornaments and we topped off the night by having a private pizza party for the kids and their family members, complete with Santa, some elves, Christmas music and even a visit from the Grinch!

Then just last night, 31 homeless children from Cass Community Social Services (CCSS), a child and family service organization that works across the city of Detroit in areas of concentrated poverty providing programs for food, health, housing and jobs, were treated to a holiday shopping spree courtesy of Florence, the Drayton Florence Foundation and WalMart (Taylor, MI). 11 NFL players participated, making it a night these kids will never forget.

For each of the past nine years, the Drayton Florence Foundation has provided Christmas for children who wouldn’t otherwise be able to celebrate the holiday season with gifts.  This year, the foundation adopted children in both Florence’s hometown of Ocala and his NFL city of Detroit.

“I am so blessed each year to have the opportunity to provide Christmas for some well deserving kids who otherwise may not celebrate with gifts this holiday season.  This is truly one of my favorite things to do each year”, said Florence.

Florence established the Drayton Florence Foundation in 2005 to educate, motivate and stimulate youth, empowering them for a lifetime of success. Programs include technology labs at local community centers, Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas gift giveaways for families in need and community outreach to schools and non-profit organizations in his hometown of Ocala and his NFL home of Detroit, MI.

See pictures from the Detroit Christmas experience!

See pictures from the Ocala Christmas experience!

Drayton Florence was gearing up for his first game back after breaking his forearm in Week 2 of the season. But that wasn’t all that was on his mind the week before Thanksgiving.

Staying true to his commitment since he founded the Drayton Florence Foundation in 2005, the Lions cornerback took time to give back to those less fortunate this holiday season. Through a partnership with Meijer, Florence provided 31 families in need with fully cooked Thanksgiving dinners including turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, vegetables and all the fixings at Dan Bosco Hall in the Cody Rouge community.

Through an initiative called Connecting Cody Rouge Families to Resources “Family Connect”, families who are in need of various basic needs from utility assistance, food, shelter, clothes receive support through various community partnerships.  It was through this partnership that the families were identified and assisted this Thanksgiving.

“Giving back to the community is what we’re all called to do, and it’s my honor to continue my foundation’s annual Thanksgiving programming here in Detroit”, said Florence. “To see these incredible families sharing a holiday meal together makes my holiday complete.”

Florence followed up his Wednesday efforts by hosting and honoring members of the Wounded Warrior Project and their families the following afternoon at the Thanksgiving game vs. Houston.

See pictures of Florence’s holiday efforts.