J. Rex Farrior

Jewel Rex Farrior Sr. (October 5, 1896 – January 17, 1993) was an American college football and baseball player and coach for the Florida Gators of the University of Florida, as well as a lawyer. He became a founding partner in a prominent Tampa-based law firm, and remained one of the biggest boosters of the Gators sports program until his death.

Early years Farrior was born October 5, 1896, in Chipley, Florida, to Joseph R. Farrior and Gussie Brown. His father was a physician.

Farrior attended Hillsborough High School in Tampa, where he played football and baseball, graduating in 1913. Future Gator teammate Rammy Ramsdell was in the same class.

University of Florida Farrior is the namesake of Farrior Hall on the UF campus.

Football Farrior was a prominent guard and center for the Florida Gators football team from 1913 to 1916. His first ever game was the 144–0 victory over the Florida Southern Moccasins.

Farrior was captain of the football team in his senior year. In that season the Gators lost all their games, suffering multiple injures and transfers, requiring Farrior to shift to fullback. He broke his ankle that year in the Indiana game. A member of the fraternity Kappa Alpha Order at UF, the Kappa Alpha Journal reads "J. Rex Farrior of the University of Florida has been for several seasons the 'Gators most brilliant performer."

He was nominated though not selected for an Associated Press All-Time Southeast 1869-1919 era team. As a football player, he was inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame. The "Rex Farrior Award" was once given to the most "team-oriented" player. Originally the award was given to the defensive lineman who showed the most effort.

Return to UF and coaching Farrior to Florida in 1921 after serving in World War I to earn his law degree, graduating in 1924. Athletes who played for him include Jack McDowall, Lamar Sarra, and Goof Bowyer.

Law practice Farrior became a partner in Shackleford and Farrior, which evolved into one of Tampa's largest law firms. Law partner Bob Shackleford was a former Florida Gator quarterback. Farrior was elected president of the Florida Bar in 1975.