Floyd grew up in a predominately Black neighborhood in Houston before relocating to Minneapolis. He was a star football player for Jack Yates High School and helped his team make it to the 1992 championship game in the Houston Astrodome, according to The New York Times.

He was 6'6" and was known by his classmates and friends as a "gentle giant."

"Quiet personality but a beautiful spirit," Floyd's former classmate Donnell Cooper told ABC11.

Here’s George Floyd scoring a touchdown in ‘92. What a play. Yates HS game hero.

Probably seems like a lifetime ago to Floyd’s family and friends.

Now, they’re planning his funeral while protestors march in his name. #georgefloyd
#abc13
https://t.co/v7hWULfled
pic.twitter.com/S5RLFM1Pwh

— Courtney Fischer (@CourtneyABC13) May 27, 2020

Even as a security guard at Conga Latin Bistro, customers saw his gentle spirit, and one said he "loved his hugs from his regulars," the Star Tribune reported.

"[He] would be mad if you didn't stop to greet him because he honestly loved seeing everyone and watching everyone have fun," customer Jessi Zendejas said.

The owner of the restaurant said he was like family and was eager to learn how to Bachata dance.

"He wanted me to teach him how to Bachata dance, and I gave up because I couldn't turn him because he was 6-foot-6," owner Jovanni Thunstrom told Fox23.

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