George Floyd, born in Fayetteville in 1973, was an African American man whose death in 2020 at the hands of Minneapolis police initiated a massive global movement against systemic brutality. Before his final years, he was a basketball player, a hip-hop artist with the Screwed Up Click, and a security guard working in Minnesota.
Early Athletic and Academic Pursuits
Moving to Houston as a child, Floyd grew up in the Third Ward. He utilized sports as a primary focus during his youth, attending Ryan Middle School and graduating from Jack Yates High School in 1993. As a student, he excelled as a power forward for the basketball team and a tight end for the football squad. He continued his education and athletic career at South Florida Community College before transferring to Texas A&M University–Kingsville.
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In the mid-1990s, Floyd became an active member of the Houston hip-hop scene. Performing under the name Big Floyd, he contributed to the group Screwed Up Click and the Presidential Playas, specifically appearing on their 2000 album, Block Party. Beyond music, he sought various employment avenues throughout his life, including work as a truck driver and security guard.
Legal History and Transitions
Between 1997 and 2005, Floyd faced multiple criminal convictions. In 2007, he was arrested for aggravated robbery and subsequently served five years in prison, receiving parole in 2013. Following his release, he engaged with Resurrection Houston, a religious ministry, where he focused on community outreach, mentorship, and anti-violence advocacy before relocating to the Minneapolis area in 2014.
The 2020 Arrest and Legal Aftermath
On May 25, 2020, Floyd died in Minneapolis following an arrest by four police officers. Derek Chauvin, one of the officers involved, knelt on Floyd's neck for nearly ten minutes. Following his death, a wrongful death lawsuit brought by his family resulted in a $27 million settlement from the City of Minneapolis. Chauvin was later convicted of murder and manslaughter, receiving a sentence of 22 and a half years.
Fast facts
- Born: 1973, Fayetteville
- Died: 2020, Minneapolis
- Education: Ryan Middle School, Jack Yates High School, Texas A&M University–Kingsville
- Occupations: Rapper, truck driver, security guard, basketball player
- Musical Affiliation: Screwed Up Click
- Burial Site: Houston Memorial Gardens
Questions readers ask
What was George Floyd's role in the music industry?
He was a rapper in the Houston hip-hop group Screwed Up Click and performed on the album Block Party with the Presidential Playas.
Where is George Floyd buried?
He is buried at the Houston Memorial Gardens.
Achievements
- Educated at Jack Yates High School, Ryan Middle School and Texas A&M University–Kingsville
- Worked as security guard, rapper and truck driver
