I just found out that Eddie Robinson passed away on Tuesday. Somehow I didn't hear about it even though I listen to sports radio almost daily and read the sports section in the newspaper almost daily. (Actually, the sports section is where I finally found out, but not until just now.) By now, Friday morning or Thursday night, depending on how you reckon such things, there is no mention of him on ESPN's front page, and I had to search like mad to find an article on him on their NCAA Football page.
I think he needs to be ranked right up there with any other pioneers in black sports, like Jackie Robinson, and even with pioneers in civil rights. Through his success, he showed people that black people could have success in predominantly white fields (as college football was when he started, and as coaching--particularly college coaching--remains to this day). Quarterbacks he coached, such as Superbowl MVP Doug Williams, showed that blacks could have success at quarterback.
I didn't see a thread here about him, so I figured I'd make one. We note the passing of a lot of important people, and I think he's noteworthy.
[ July 21, 2007, 10:09 PM: Message edited by: Icarus ]
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
Thanks, Icarus. I completely agree.
I try to make a point of watching at least some of the Grambling State vs. Southern University game -- esp. the halftime show. I'm glad that that game is still broadcast.