(WNY News Now) Aaron Leeper’s journey is one of greatness and tenacity, from setting football records to safeguarding the sky in his role as Assistant Federal Security Director.
47 touchdowns. 2,276 yards of rushing. 282 points were scored. Isn’t that a respectable high school career? Aaron Leeper, a member of the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2025, had such numbers for a single season.
Under the direction of coaches Wally Huckno, Joe DiMaio, Tom Phillips, and Dave Currie, Leeper accumulated those amazing numbers in 2000, the year Jamestown High School won the New York State Class AA football championship. Aaron did not play much offensively in the second half since the Red Raiders, who were 13-0 and unbeaten, frequently had the game under control by the half.
When Leeper graduated from JHS in 2001, his 47 touchdowns and 282 points set single-season records for New York State. He set a Western New York record with 2,276 rushing yards. The NYS Class AA Player of the Year award went to him.
In addition to winning the coveted Connolly Cup, which is given to the best football player in Western New York, he was named the Buffalo News and Jamestown Post Journal Player of the Year. Additionally, he was selected the New York State Player of the Year by USA Today.
Leeper was a two-way player who excelled as a defensive back, recording 38 tackles and five interceptions, including two pick-sixes. As the best defensive back in WNY, he was given the Ron Pitts Award.
Aaron’s strong junior season, in which he ran for 1,230 yards and nine touchdowns on offense and recorded 26 tackles, four fumble recoveries, and an interception on defense, foreshadowed his record-breaking senior season. He was selected as a Post-Journal First Team All-Star and the ECIC Division 1 South Defensive Player of the Year.
Coach Dave Reinhardt had Leeper compete in national meets in Baton Rouge and Philadelphia while he was a 200-meter hurdler for the Chautauqua Striders.
He was awarded a scholarship to attend the Mid-American Conference’s D-1 University of Buffalo. After rushing for 917 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2002, he was voted the MAC Rookie of the Year.
Leeper’s football career ended due to an injury he had during his sophomore year. He obtained a bachelor’s degree at UB and a master’s degree at Canisius, concentrating his efforts on his future.
The Federal Air Marshal Service is Aaron’s employer. Under the direction of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), FAMS is a federal law enforcement organization in the US.
FAMs, or federal air marshals, fly frequently. More over five million air miles in Aaron’s situation. FAMs need to be very good shooters. In order to safeguard the flying public, a FAM’s mission is to blend in with other passengers on an aircraft and rely largely on their training, which includes investigative skills, the ability to recognize criminal terrorist conduct, handgun proficiency, aircraft-specific tactics, and close quarters self-defense measures.
Leeper was promoted to an administrative role as a result of his leadership abilities being acknowledged. He serves as the Law Enforcement Assistant Federal Security Director.
Aaron lives in Bayside, New York, with his family.