Nomination year: 2020

Nominated by: Barton Clements

Nomination Category: Heritage

Sport: Football, Baseball, and Basketball

Years Participated: 1960-63 & Beyond

Career Summary:

Leon Watson played multiple sports at Celina High School from 1960-63 and also served as a respected referee in the area following his high school athletic career.

Watson played under legendary head coach John Teeples on the gridiron during a span when the Bulldogs advanced to the Lions Bowl, and he also starred on the baseball diamond at the same time.

Watson’s teammate and CCSHOF member Danny Watson described him as a “hard-nosed, tough football player,” who helped his team succeed.  He played in the backfield alongside the Hall-of-famer and also as a defensive halfback on the other side of the ball.

Following the close of his high school career, Watson then became a well-known basketball referee and he continues to be a big supporter of local athletics by attending just about every Bulldog game cheering on the black and gold.

Nominator comment:

“Mr. Watson excelled at both playing football and baseball as a high school athlete, before continuing his career as a highly-rated referee for many years across the region.  For those reasons, I feel Leon deserves consideration for the Clay County Sports Hall of Fame and deserves to be there alongside his teammates.”