Inductees

How do you go from a career in the NFL where you were on the field for one of the most memorable NFL plays ever, “The Immaculate Reception, playing in three Super Bowls and being a two-time Super Bowl Champion….   Well, if you are this year’s Community Leader inductee, Gordon Gravelle, you parlay your success on the gridiron to a Hall of Fame career in business and community leadership.

Gordon and his young family moved to Antioch in the late 1970’s while still playing in the NFL and acquired the Antioch Municipal Airport and immediately became part of the community.  He sponsored an Easter Egg Hunt for physically and developmentally challenged children where the Easter Rabbit would jump from an airplane (with parachute) and meet all the children there, so they could have their own Easter Egg hunt.

After retiring from the NFL Gordon immersed himself in his businesses focusing on real estate development, building and financial services.   He joined the Rotary Club in 1982 which commenced 40 years of service accomplishing many worthwhile endeavors and fund raising.  He served as a Director and President of the Antioch Rotary and guided the local chapter into holding their first annual golf tournament which still is going strong almost 30 years later.  The tournament has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars through the years that have been donated to various charities in the community.   He also served as Director of the Rotary’s International Vision Program that built facilities in Zambia, Africa and Mulege, Mexico.   He has been honored by the local and International Rotary clubs for his leadership, guidance and service.

From 1987-96 he served as a Director of the Delta Memorial Hospital Foundation and as President in 1995.  Under Gravelle’s guidance he spearheaded the hospital’s expansion in 1987, which included a Gala Fundraiser featuring Bob Hope, Red Skelton and Susan Akin, the reigning Miss America.   The campaign raised enough funds to expand the hospital.   Near the end of his tenure with Delta Memorial he was deeply involved in the negotiations for the merger with Sutter Health.

In 1991 he headed up the effort to build the Youth Sports Complex on Wilbur Avenue.  His leadership, insight, planning and fundraising resulted in the completion of the nearly $2 Million project.   One of his personal greatest accomplishments.

He served many years on the Lone Tree Golf Course Board and his leadership led to the expansion of the Pro Shop and the building of what is now the entire Lone Tree Golf Course and Event Center.   His love of golf also brought him to the 1^st Tee of California benefiting and teaching the youth of the local community the game of golf.  He served as Board Chairman and Director for many years.

Gordon served on the Delta Advocacy Board that over the years raised nearly $10 Million Dollars for the City of Antioch.   He was an assistant football coach and longtime supporter and donor of Antioch High School Sports and Music Programs.

Since the inception of the Antioch Sports Legends Hall of Fame, Gordon has been one of the greatest advocates, supporters and volunteers for the program.   He was co-MC of 11 Induction Galas, raised $10,000 for the building of the “Antioch to the Pros” wall in the museum and in 2017 was awarded the prestigious Founder’s Award, the same year his daughter Kris was inducted into the Sports Legends Hall of Fame.

In 2012, Gordon was inducted into the BYU Athletic Hall of Fame for his prowess on the gridiron where he was the Western Athletic Conference Lineman of the Year, 2^nd Team All-American and drafted in the second round of the NFL by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In 2018, The Antioch Chamber of Commerce recognized Gordon as its Citizen of the Year for Lifetime Achievement.   He has received special recognition from Congressman Jerry McNerney, Assemblymen, Tom Torlakson and James Frazier, and Supervisor Diane Burgis.

Gordon and his lovely wife Molly now reside in Alamo.  He has three children, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.   He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Brigham Young University and his Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA.

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Taiwan Jones, 2007 Deer Valley High School graduate was an exceptional athlete with blazing speed in football and track and field.  He was selected 1st Team and Player of the Year by the Bay Valley Athletic League, Contra Costa Times Player of the Year and Top 50 Athletes. The two-way starter set a Wolverine single season record of 19 touchdowns and rushed for 1,466 yards, averaging 9.3 yards per carry. He had 37 tackles and led the Wolverines to a 10-0 regular season record and DVHS first BVAL title since it first fielded a varsity football team in 1997.

He received a scholarship to Eastern Washington University, scoring on a 87-yard touchdown run on his first collegiate carry as a junior in 2009 and set a school record in 2009 with a 96-yard TD run against Idaho State. He had a banner year in 2010, rushing for 1,742 yards and 14 TDs in 12 games. The season ended on a high note as Taiwan was selected to several all-star teams: NCAA Football Championship Subdivision All-America (first team), Associated Press (first team) College Sporting News (first team) and was the Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Year. He holds the EWU school record for all-purpose yards per game (162) and has a college career high of 5,021 all-purpose yards.

In the 2011, NFL combine the 6-0 195-pound running back ran an incredible 4.33 in the 40-yard dash, drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the 4^th round with the 125^th pick of the 2011 NFL draft. He had a 12 year career in the NFL, playing 6 seasons (2011-2016) for the Raiders and 6 seasons (2017-2022) for the Buffalo Bills.  He was selected Team Captain of Special Teams 2020-22.

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To be an All-Around Male Sports Legends Inductee is a very high bar to clear, primarily because one has to compete in three sports in the year nominated. Bob Garrison did this not only his senior year but his sophomore and junior years as well excelling in Football, Basketball and Track & Field. As a senior, he was BVAL 1^st Team All-League in Football, was named to the Contra Costa/Alameda All-Star Team and was the recipient of the prestigious NFL/Helms Foundation award, which recognizes the top football student athlete in Contra Costa County.

In addition to football “Bobby G” was 2^nd in the varsity discus his sophomore year. As a senior, he was the BVAL League Meet discus champion, finished 2^nd at North Coast Section 3A Meet and averaged 8.3 points per game with a 74% free throw average as a starter on the basketball team. He ended his high school career by being named one of the Contra Costa Times top 50 Male Athletes in 1996.

After high school Bob attended Los Medanos College and in 1997 was selected 1^st Team All-Conference as a sophomore and was named to the All-State Community College Region 1 Football, 1^st Team as a defensive lineman. On top of that honor he was recognized by the LMC coaches who presented him with the LMC Football Outstanding Athlete Award. His high school and community college success on the gridiron and in the classroom earned him a full scholarship to James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

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Jasmine Cox is celebrated as the 2008 All-Around Female Athlete of Deer Valley High School  for her remarkable achievements in Cross Country and Track & Field. She consistently demonstrated exceptional athletic prowess and leadership, culminating in a series of notable accomplishments that cemented her legacy at DVHS.

In Cross Country, Jasmine qualified for the NCS Tri -Valley Championships, displaying her endurance and competitive spirit. Her talent extended to Track & Field, where she served as the team captain and excelled in multiple events. Jasmine was    All-BVAL during her senior year, winning the 400-meter dash, 800-meter run and anchoring both victorious 4×100 meter and 4×400 meter relay teams. Her outstanding performances propelled her to the CIF Tri Valley championships, where she once again claimed first place in the 400-meter dash and led both relay teams to triumphs, qualifying for the prestigious CIF Meet of Champions (MOC).

At the CIF MOC, Jasmine continued to shine, securing a victory in the 400-meter dash. Despite a non-qualifying sixth-place finish in the 4×100 meter relay, she achieved a third-place qualifying standard in the 4×400 meter relay, earning her and her team a spot in the CIF State Track & Field Championships. There, Jasmine placed 9th in the 400 meter dash, and her team finished 14th in the 4×400 meter relay, underscoring her consistency and competitive edge.

Jasmine was a two-time DVHS captain and All-CC Times Athlete of the Year in 2008. Following her high school success, Jasmine accepted a full-ride scholarship to California State University, Northridge (CSUN), where she continued to compete at a high level. During her collegiate career, Jasmine set personal records of 54.69 in the 400 meters and 2:09.58 in the 800 meters. Jasmine Cox’s journey as a high school standout to collegiate athlete highlights her dedication, talent and passion for Track & Field.

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Gerald Circo was an exceptional athlete during his time at Antioch High School, where he earned varsity letters in swimming, football, basketball, and baseball. After graduating in 1962, he and his identical twin brother Jerome were recruited by Chico State University to play football. As a freshman at Chico State, as a self-proclaimed “gym-rat”, Gerald played freshman football, basketball, and baseball.

During his next three years on the varsity football team, he started at quarterback or defensive back and served as the punter and placekicker. He also lettered in track and field, achieving fifth place in the javelin throw in the Far Western Conference.

In 1965, he became the first punter/kicker to be selected for the first team All Far Western Conference, with an impressive average of 46.2 yards on 57 punts. Notably, he kicked a 73-yard punt against Humboldt State, the longest of the year in the FWC, and scored the league’s best game-winning 49-yard field goal against Oregon Tech. His exceptional performance against Humboldt State saw him punt 10 times for an average of 50.6 yards per punt.

In the 1965 NFL Draft, Gerald was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 20th round, becoming one of only four punter/kickers taken in the draft that year. Despite working out for the Eagles, Rams, Cardinals, and Packer teams, he did not secure a spot on any roster. However, he went on to kick professionally for the Sacramento Buccaneers in the Continental League from 1968 to 1970.

Gerald has been inducted into three athletic halls of fame, including Chico State (1995), Northern California Old Timers (2005), and the City of Chico (2018).  Gerald and his wife Jill currently reside in Chico, California.

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Jenna Carvajal’s athletic career developed during her formative years at DVHS where she discovered her innate talent and passion for cross country running. She earned an impressive   3^rd place finish at the NCS Cross Country Championships and qualified for the CIF State Cross Country Championships. Her outstanding performance in Cross Country was rewarded with her selection to 1^st Team All-Northern California and 1^st Team All-State of California.

She was a talented multiple sport athlete who demonstrated her athletic prowess by competing and earning All-BVAL honors in three varsity sports, Cross Country, Soccer, Track and Field.  She was selected 1^st Team in Cross Country and 2^nd Team in Soccer, Track and Field.  Her commitment and hard work resulted in her selection as the 2005 DVHS Senior Female Athlete of the Year, a fitting tribute to her outstanding contributions to the DVHS athletics program.

Following graduation from DVHS in 2005, Jenna embarked upon the next chapter of her athletic journey at Sonoma State University where she continued to shine as a college athlete making a name for herself in track and field in the 1500-meter run. Her remarkable performance saw her rise through the ranks, ultimately securing the 15th position all-time with a blistering personal record of 4:59:53.

Beyond her athletic achievements, Jenna’s journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring high school and college athletes. Her unwavering dedication, coupled with her relentless pursuit of excellence, exemplifies the true spirit of sportsmanship and perseverance. Jenna Carvajal’s outstanding performance in high school and college athletics has resulted in her induction to the Antioch Sports Legends Hall of Fame where her legacy is etched in the annals of our community sports history.

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