Life of a Champion Award
Curtis L. Watson played football at Cumberland County High School in Crossville, Tenn., before being recruited by the University of Tennessee where he made a lasting name for himself. Nick-named “The Crossville Comet,” he literally blazed across the sky of “Big Orange Country” in the late 60’s and early 70’s. His body control, powerful legs, and natural gift for finding gaps in the opposition’s defense made Watson an offensive threat that propelled the Tennessee Volunteers to the top of the Southeastern Conference. Watson still ranks among the top ten UT all-time rushing leaders.
From Knoxville, Watson moved on to play two years in the NFL before joining the Navy and being accepted into flight school. He acquired the call sign “Griz” while in flight training. During his eleven years in the United States Navy, Watson became a member of one of the most elite flying squads in the world, the “Blue Angels” precision flight team.
After the Navy, Watson joined his sister, also a former Naval Aviator, and brother-in-law at Federal Express. He logged 9,522 accident-free hours until retiring in 2015 as an international Captain.
Motivated by his son Dustin’s Down Syndrome, Watson founded the Memphis Mid South Air Show in 1999 to raise money for the Madonna Learning Center. This event has donated over $1,600,000 to multiple children’s charities in Memphis. He continues to volunteer for three other charity events that benefit Cystic Fibrosis, Susan G. Komen Foundation and the Blue Angels Foundation.