Former NFL offensive tackle Charles Leno Jr. has returned to the California high school that helped launch his football career, donating $450,000 toward a new professional-grade turf field at San Leandro High School. The donation formed part of a nearly $1 million renovation of the school's athletic facility at Burrell Field. Leno, who grew up in Oakland and graduated from San Leandro High in 2009, was honoured at the school's homecoming game in October 2025, when he saw the completed field in person for the first time. The new turf is bright blue, a deliberate reference to both of Leno's alma maters, San Leandro High and Boise State University, whose football stadium is known for its blue playing surface. Leno spent a decade in the NFL with the Chicago Bears and Washington Commanders before his playing career ended in 2023.
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