Whether it is sports or business, Wayne Peace has made success look easy. From being a standout two-sport star at Lakeland High School, a star quarterback for the University of Florida, or a State Farm Insurance agent, Peace has had success in each facet of his life.

At Lakeland High School, Wayne lettered in both football and basketball. He quarterbacked the Dreadnaughts to their first district, region, and section titles in 1979, leading them all the way to the State Semifinals. Peace was later named a High School All-American. Later that year, he was a key member of Lakeland’s 1979 state finalist team in basketball, which marked the first time the Dreadnaughts made the State Tournament since 1957, when his father Lamar played for Lakeland. Wayne was later named to the 1980’s All-Star Basketball Team of the Decade, selected by Eric Murray and Jack Slaton.

Wayne was recruited for both sports by colleges around the nation, but he decided he would play football instead of basketball in college. Wayne signed with the University of Florida, where he set several records from 1980-1983. Current Denver Broncos head coach and former Gator offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan said, “Wayne turned around the football program at Florida, the players believed in him and it showed in their efforts.” Peace went 29-15 as a starter for the Gators, leading them to four consecutive bowl games. He was one of the most accurate passers in NCAA history, holding the NCAA record for completion percentage (70.73 percent) in 1982 until Steve Young broke it the next year. He holds the Florida record for career completion percentage (60.6 percent) and passing efficiency in a game. He ranks third at Florida in career completions, fourth in attempts, and fifth in career yardage.

He was named 2nd team All-SEC in 1982 and later inducted into the Tangerine Bowl Hall of Fame, the Lakeland High School Hall of Fame, and the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame. He also was a winner of the Billy Chase Memorial Captain’s Award, given annually to an outstanding Polk County Gator and graced the cover of Sports Illustrated in September of 1982. Peace played in the USFL for the Tampa Bay Bandits, before briefly competing in Bengals’ and Dolphins’ training camps before retiring. Peace now owns a successful State Farm franchise in Lakeland.