Former Florida defensive lineman Thaddeus Bullard, better known by his stage name as WWE’s Titus O’Neil, has been appointed to the Florida State Fair Authority’s board of directors.
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried welcomed Bullard to the group in advance of the upcoming Florida State Fair, which takes place Feb. 10-21. His term will run through May 29, 2025.
“As a Florida native, it is a tremendous honor for me to be able to help shape, cultivate, and educate, those throughout the state in both affluent and underserved communities on the importance of agriculture,” O’Neil said in a news release. “I’m honored to be serving alongside an esteemed group of advocates for Florida to continue making our great state one of the best places to live, work, and play in the world.”
Commissioner @NikkiFriedFL and @FDACS are pleased to welcome @TitusONeilWWE to the Board of Directors of the @FLStateFair Authority!
— FL Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services (@FDACS) January 18, 2022
Before becoming professional wrestler Titus O’Neil, Bullard was a four-year student-athlete for the Florida Gators football program. He played in 44 games as mostly a backup rush end with three starts. Serving the community goes back to Bullard’s college days. He received the Goodwill Gator Award in 1998 for community service and was elected UF Student Body Vice President in 2000.
Bullard’s in-ring career with WWE slowed down after 2019, and he only worked a few matches in 2020. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame later that year after winning the Warrior Award, which recognizes those in wrestling who do notable work behind the scenes.
Now a Global Ambassador for WWE, O’Neil has turned his focus to helping out the state of Florida in any way he can. In 2021, the Thaddeus M. Bullard Academy at Sligh Middle Magnet School was named after him in recognition of the philanthropy and work he’s done with the Tampa Bay youth.
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