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Earl Campbell

Page 35

by Asher Price


  Everybody in the world has: Dale Robertson, “Oilers’ Earl Campbell: ‘We Just want to Hold Him under a Mile,’” Houston Post, Dec. 12, 1980.

  As for the fiftieth reunion: Bettye Mitchell and Katherine Bynum, “Oral History Interview with Bettye Mitchell,” July 1, 2015, video, The Portal to Texas History, texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth836696.

  the district served a student population and We’ll forever say this: Adam Russell, “Desegregation Order: Tyler ISD Looks to Move On,” Tyler Morning Telegraph, July 18, 2015, tylerpaper.com/news/local/desegre-gation-order-tyler-isd-looks-to-move-on/article_8d8c0174-1998-5872-8635-76b507b9e618.html.

  might as well use their diplomas: Tasneem Raja, “To Be Black at Robert E. Lee High School,” New Yorker, Sept. 19, 2017, newyorker.com/news/news-desk/what-is-it-like-to-be-a-black-student-at-robert-e-lee-high-school.

  unthinkable for a black person: Author interview with Sam Biscoe (summer 2017).

  University of Texas running back: Ricky Williams discussed the events in Tyler on the Dudley and Bob with Matt Show’s daily podcast, Austin radio station KLBJ, Jan. 18, 2017, klbjfm.com/media/podcasts/2017-1-18-pt2-former-nfl-player-ricky-williams.

  A dash-cam video shows Williams: The video was posted to YouTube by KTBC Fox 7 Austin, Jan. 19, 2017, youtube.com/watch?v=LBgO_MR-G7uM.

  We both reached out to: Roy Maynard, “Heisman Trophy Winner Ricky Williams Questions Police Stop in Tyler, Texas,” Tyler Morning Telegraph, Jan. 18, 2017, tylerpaper.com/sports/pro/heisman-trophy-winner-ricky-williams-questions-police-stop-in-tyler/article_d184fa59-9829-508b-8f17-86f61c559a7d.html.

  A black guy walking during daytime: Dudley and Bob with Matt Show’s daily podcast, Jan. 18, 2017.

  his sole line was scratched: Author interview with Witt Stewart, Oct. 2018.

  But in his own quiet: Juan R. Palomo, “Affirmative Action Takes Athletic Twist,” USA Today, Apr. 10, 1997, 14A; “Bill May Hamper University Athletics, Some Say,” Dallas Morning News, May 17, 1997, 4A.

  Obviously, Hopwood means that a lot: “Capitol Notebook,” Houston Chronicle, Mar. 7, 1997, 37.

  he once had such momentum: Jason Cohen, “Earl Campbell’s Third Act,” Texas Monthly, Jan. 21, 2013, texasmonthly.com/articles/earl-campbells-third-act.

  For a long time everything: Reid, “Earl Campbell,” 144.

  This state wants to see you: Author interview with Rick Ingraham, July 2017.

  It fell to Caesar Martinez: Author interview with Caesar Martinez, Oct. 2016.

  I really want it bad: “Earl Campbell Press Availability transcript,” Sept. 9, 2012, TexasSports.com, texassports.com/news/2012/9/9/090912aaa_732.aspx.

  INDEX

  A

  academic performance: and black athletes at UT, 95; and entrance requirements, 255; and recruitment of Campbell, 119

  Adams, Boots, 172

  Adams, Bud: background, 172–173; car “gifted” to Campbell, 189–191; criticism of Campbell, 225–226; draft and signing of Campbell, 186–187, 189–191; and Houston politics, 228–229; and Oiler’s practice facilities, 175; promotion of Phillips to head coach, 178–179; and racial conflict, 224–225

  Ada Oil Company, 172

  AFC Championship games, 208–210, 213–214

  affirmative action battles, 255–256. See also civil rights movement

  African and Afro-American Research Center, 125

  Afro-American Studies program, 127

  agents, 9, 185–186

  air conditioning, 202–203

  Akers, Diane, 153

  Akers, Fred, 151–153, 155, 164

  Akins, Marty, 130

  Alabama, 102

  alcoholism, 8–9, 43, 49–50

  Alexander, Tim, 60–61, 163

  Alexander, Willie, 189, 213

  Ali, Muhammad, 174

  Allen, George, 74–75

  American Football League (AFL), 172, 173

  American Indians, 150

  American Legion, 69

  American Nazi Party, 183

  Anderson, John A., 17, 48–49

  Angelo, Charlie, 231

  apartheid, 74, 76

  Apollo 11 astronauts, 174

  Argovitz, Jerry, 186

  Arlington Sam Houston High School, 63

  Armadillo World Headquarters, 123

  Armco Steel, 183, 234

  arthritis, 243

  Asleep at the Wheel, 177

  assassinations, 11, 71, 91, 106, 121

  Associated Press, 95, 100–101, 105, 108, 114–115, 240

  Astor, W. Kirk, 76

  Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl, 2, 132, 139

  Astrodome, 4, 173–175, 179, 208, 210, 228

  Astroturf, 174

  Athens, Texas, 35

  Atlanta Falcons, 200, 236

  Austin, Stephen F., 12

  Austin, Texas, 120–125

  Austin American-Statesman, 93–94, 121, 127, 216, 256

  Austin Gay Pride Parade, 122–123

  autographs, 137

  awards and honors of Campbell: Campbell’s number retired in Houston, 237; coin toss at Longhorns home opener, 257–260; Earl Campbell Banquet, 250–252; Earl Campbell Day (Tyler, Texas), 22, 189; Hall of Fame induction, 50; MVP award, 9; NFL Rookie of the Year award, 9, 64; structures named for, 32, 61; “Superman” nickname, 8; Texas hero status, 12; Tyler homecoming, 41. See also Heisman Trophy

  Azoff, Irving, 218

  B

  Baker Hotel, 142–143

  “The Ballad of the Urban Cowboy: America’s Search for True Grit” (Latham), 184

  Baltimore Colts, 187

  Banks, Jimmy, 107

  Baptists, 32–33, 38, 149

  barbecue, 29, 173, 178, 182

  Barrett, Gregory, 19

  Barron, David, 55, 65

  Bates, Kathy, 180

  Bates, Stan, 81

  Battle of the Sexes, 174

  Baylor University (Bears), 96, 165

  Baytown Works, 183

  Beasley, Tomekia, 48

  Beasley family, 48

  Beaudoin, Doug, 245

  Beaumont, Texas, 177

  Bee Gees, 211

  Bell, Henry, 49, 112, 118–119, 167, 189, 250

  Bell, Henry, Jr., 166

  Bell, Henry, III, 15

  Bell, Nell, 118

  Bell, Ricky, 185

  Bellmont Hall, 241

  Bennett, Lonnie, 131

  Bennett, Phil, 165

  Bertolt Brecht Memorial Guerrilla Theatre Troupe, 123

  Berwanger, Jay, 169

  Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, The, 4, 180

  Bethea, Elvin: and Campbell’s impact on Oilers, 212; and contract dealings with Adams, 191; and Oilers losing streak, 172; and Oilers training facilities, 175; and players’ strike, 221, 231–232; and playoffs loss to Steelers, 214; and racial makeup of Oilers, 189

  Bevo, 95, 258–259

  Bible, Dana X., 81–82, 83, 84

  Big Tex, 158

  Biles, Ed, 232

  Bingham, Gregg, 175, 197, 198, 231–232, 246

  biracial committee (Tyler, Texas), 38–40

  birth of Campbell, 14–17, 21, 23

  Biscoe, Sam, 26, 250–251

  Black Boy (Wright), 32–33

  black colleges, 110–111

  “The Black Side of Football: The Salience of Race” (Brower), 187–188

  Blair, Sam, 115

  Bledsoe, Gary: on Campbell’s impact on race issues, 148–149, 257; on impact of desegregation, 33–34; on racial issues at UT, 126, 130, 133, 134

  Blount, Jeb, 55–56, 60–61

  Blount, Roy, 193

  Boca Raton News, 103

  Boerne, Texas, 199

  Bohls, Kirk, 7, 152, 192

  boots, 179

  Boston College (Eagles), 148–149, 157

  Bourgeois, Andy, 194, 203

  boycotts, 121–122

  Boys State (camp), 69

  Brazile, Robert (“Dr. Doom”), 189, 222

  Bread and Roses School, 123


  Brewer, Anita, 93

  bribes, 12, 110, 116

  Bright, Greg, 8

  Brokaw, Tom, 220

  Brooks, Joan, 65

  Brooks, Sara, 45

  Brower, Jonathan, 187, 188

  Brown, Art, 90

  Brown, F. B., 26

  Brown, Jim, 7, 63, 145, 205, 207, 254

  Brown, John, 90

  Brown, Mack, 258, 259

  Brown v. Board of Education: constitutional reasoning behind, 75; and desegregation in Tyler, 36; resistance to, at UT, 76–77, 85, 87, 125–127; resistance to, in Tyler, 23–24, 27; on separate-but-equal doctrine, 76; and suburbanization, 45

  Brownwood, Texas, 199

  Brubaker, Bill, 230, 231

  Bryant, Paul “Bear,” 102

  Buchholz, Brad, 168, 190, 201

  Buie, Judi, 176–177

  Bullard, Robert, 203

  Bullington, Orville, 75

  Burka, Paul, 37, 38

  Burrough, Ken, 173, 189, 214

  Butkus, Dick, 53

  Butler, John Sibley, 133, 136

  Butler, Robert, 132

  C

  Caldwell, Bill, 147

  Caldwell, Texas, 16

  Callahan, Verlin, 254–255

  Campbell, Alfred Ray (brother), 35, 56, 125, 205

  Campbell, Ann (mother): background in Tyler, 42–44; and college recruitment process, 99, 111, 113–114, 116–119; death, 247; discipline in the Campbell household, 28–29; and Earl’s academic struggles, 61–62; and Earl’s childhood coaches, 54, 57; and Earl’s childhood friends, 58–59; and Earl’s Heisman Trophy, 162, 166–167, 170, 192; and Earl’s open-mindedness, 240; Earl’s respect for, 132; and Earl’s retirement, 237; and financial struggles, 49–52; home built for, 191–192; and naming of children, 14–17; regard for Royal, 143–144; and rose cultivation in Tyler, 43–44, 47

  Campbell, Bert (“B. C.”/father), 9, 28, 42, 49–50

  Campbell, Christian, 239, 242, 244, 251

  Campbell, Earl: birth of, 14–17, 21, 23; celebrity of, 30–31; charity work of, 29; decision to retire, 237; family background, 8–9, 41–44, 139, 215; father figures to, 9, 139, 215; humor of, 30; leadership of, 156–157; marriage, 202 (see also Campbell, Reuna [wife]); meat businesses, 239, 242–243; memory problems, 8–9, 246; modesty of, 137; naming of, 14–17; nicknames of, 44, 194–195; perfectionism of, 129, 259–260; physicality of, 9–10; and poverty, 14, 26, 50–51, 120; prescription drug addiction, 243–245; pride of, 259; privacy and shyness of, 29–31, 204; ranch owned by, 247–248; running style, 7, 11; songs about, 207–208; “Superman” comparison, 8, 240; Texas hero status, 12; toughness of, 245. See also awards and honors of Campbell; injuries and health problems of Campbell; specific topics throughout index

  Campbell, Evelyn (sister), 56, 112

  Campbell, Herbert (brother), 26, 47, 56, 247

  Campbell, Julius (great-grandfather), 42

  Campbell, Linda (sister-in-law), 35

  Campbell, Margaret (sister), 17, 45–46, 56

  Campbell, Martha (sister), 45–46, 56

  Campbell, Mike, 147–148

  Campbell, Reuna (wife): and Earl’s decision to retire, 237; and Earl’s poverty in college, 120; and Earl’s relationship with Kinzie, 17; introduction to Earl, 53; marriage to Earl, 202–203; and poverty of Earl’s childhood, 50–51; suburban home in Austin, 11, 239; and trajectory of Earl’s career, 245

  Campbell, Ronnie (brother), 56

  Campbell, Ruby (sister), 56

  Campbell, Steven Rob (brother), 56

  Campbell, Timothy Bob (brother), 56

  Campbell, Tyler (son), 31

  Campbell, Willie (brother), 26, 56, 247

  Campbell family name history, 16–17

  Canadian Football League, 88, 206

  Cannon, Billy, 173

  Cannoneers, 64

  Carolina Panthers, 205–206

  Carpenter, Rob, 193, 207, 232, 233

  Carrington, Ben, 254

  Cartwright, Gary, 93, 115, 143, 145, 180

  Carver High School, 68

  Casper, Dave, 222

  Cawood, David, 155

  CBS Sports, 166

  celebrity of Campbell, 30–31

  charity work of Campbell, 29

  cheer squads, 34, 54

  Chenier, Clifton, 123

  Chicago Bears, 212

  Chicken Ranch, 4, 6

  chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, 217

  chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), 245–246

  Cincinnati Bengals, 175

  Civil Rights Act, 91, 107, 159

  civil rights movement: Campbell’s contribution, 256–257; and desegregation in Tyler, 37–38; and LBJ’s influence on Royal, 107–108; and picketing of UT football, 94–95; and racism in Austin, 121–122; and recruitment of Campbell, 116; shift in activism in the 1970s, 206; and trajectory of Campbell’s career, 11; and Tyler, Texas, 16; and UT’s resistance to integration, 125–127

  Civil War, 18, 74, 226

  Clark, Charles, 40, 52

  class divisions, 23, 28, 203–204

  Clayborn, Raymond, 161

  Clyde, Nelson, IV, 64

  Coach: The Life of Paul “Bear” Bryant (Dunnavant), 102

  Coal Miner’s Daughter (film), 211

  Coates, Ta-Nehisi, 7

  cocaine, 218, 220–221

  Coffey, Junior, 85–86

  Colacello, Bob, 219

  Coleman, Ronnie, 209

  Collier, Thomas, 128

  Collins, Ann. See Campbell, Ann (mother)

  Collins, Lizzie, 42

  Collins, Reuben, 42, 49, 247

  Colored People’s Day (Texas State Fair), 158

  Comanche, Texas, 199

  Committee on Selective Admissions, 80

  Concerned Parents, 39

  concussion protocol, 62

  Confederacy, 18, 74

  Confederate statue controversies, 256–257

  Conley, Gator, 183, 211, 219, 220

  Connally, John, 74

  Conroe High School, 63, 240

  conservatism, 73, 96, 124, 146, 256

  contract negotiations, 185–186, 190–192, 223–224, 229–230

  Cooke, Jack Kent, 230

  Cooksey, Frank, 89

  Cooley, Denton, 218

  Cooley, Louise, 218

  Cooper, N. B., 39

  Cosell, Howard, 1–4, 201, 245–246

  Cotton Bowl, 109, 157–159, 170

  Council of Colored Parents and Teachers, 27

  country-and-western music, 123–124, 138, 141, 211

  Courting of Marcus Dupree, The, (Morris), 33

  “cowboy chic,” 175–177, 180, 217

  “cowboy schlock,” 217

  Cox, Lanier, 82

  Cozza, Carm, 167

  Crawford, Marty, 250

  Crockett, Davy, 12

  Culp, Curley, 174, 188, 189, 191, 197

  Cunningham, Ray, 150

  Cunningham, Sam “the Bam,” 102

  Cunningham, William, 241

  Curry, E. A., 95

  the Cut, 52–53

  Cutter Bill Western Wear, 176, 218, 234–235

  D

  Dabbs, Ken, 68–72, 93–94, 109–117, 120, 146, 169

  Dabbs, Marguerite, 112

  Daily Texan, 85, 126, 168

  Dale, Billy, 105

  Dallas (television series), 4, 203

  Dallas Cowboys: and Campbell’s dominance, 197–198, 234; contrasted with Houston Oilers, 195–196; and North Dallas Forty, 187; and race-based hiring, 187; and racial tensions, 188; rivalry with Oilers, 212–213; Super Bowl victories, 60

  Dallas Express, 23

  Dallas Morning News, 23, 54, 151, 152

  Dallas Times Herald, 142

  Danceland, 194

  Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, 72

  Daugherty, Duffy, 104

  Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, 59, 65, 129

  Davis, Ernie, 90

  Davis, Jefferson, 74
/>   Davis, Norris, 128–129

  Debbie Does Dallas, 180

  Delta Diner, 122

  Democratic Party, 5

  demographic shifts in Texas, 5, 15, 227

  Deneuve, Catherine, 177

  Derrick Dolls, 1, 3, 176, 217

  desegregation and integration: Campbell’s attitude on racial issues, 30, 33; “full integration,” 72; impact of football on racial attitudes, 61, 65; impact on Campbell’s career and life, 12; impact on Tyler rose industry, 45; influence of Campbell’s play on racial attitudes, 133; legacy of, in Tyler, 248; and public opinion, 73; resistance to, in Tyler, 23–29; and Royal’s background, 89; and Shivers, 147; and Sweeny High School, 68; and Texas news media, 23; and Texas politics in Campbell era, 4–5; of Tyler school system, 33, 34–35, 35–41, 54–56, 249–250; UT’s resistance to, 72–87

  Detroit Lions, 188

  Dickerson, Eric, 116, 141–142

  Dillard, Andy, 53

  Dinerstein, Joel, 204, 206

  disciplinary problems, 28–29

  discrimination, 135

  diversity, 227

  “Dixie,” 21–22, 39

  Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, 72

  Dominguez, Pete, 147

  dormitories, 85

  Dorsett, Tony, 185, 216, 244, 246

  draft, 179–180, 205–206

  “drop foot,” 243

  drug use, 220–221, 235, 243–245

  Dudley, Dale, 253

  due process, 38

  Dugger, Ronnie, 146

  Dunnavant, Keith, 102

  Dupree, Marcus, 145

  E

  Earl Campbell Banquet, 250–252

  Earl Campbell Day (Tyler, Texas), 22, 189

  Earl Campbell Meat Products, 239, 243

  Earl Campbell Parkway (Tyler, Texas), 32

  Earl Campbell Stadium, 61

  Eason, Bo, 10

  East Austin, 120–121, 128

  East Texas, 20, 182. See also Tyler, Texas

  East Texas Fair, 26

  East Texas State Teachers College, 23

  East Texas Tuberculosis Sanatorium, 15

  Ebony, 29

  Economics Research Associates, 159

  Edmonton Eskimos, 89

  Eisenhower, Dwight, 146–147

  Ellender, Rich, 211–212

  Elliott, Phil (fictional), 187, 188–189

  Ellis, Jimmy, 121

  emancipation, 17, 18

  Emmett Scott High School, 23, 26–27, 34, 56, 248, 250

  endorsement deals, 186–187, 204, 255

  Ennis, Michael, 217–219

  entrance exams, 80, 94

  Equal Protection Clause, 75–76

  Erickson, Roky, 123

  Erving, Julius, 53

  Erwin, Frank, 74, 96, 103, 113, 145–146, 152

  Erxleben, Russell, 161

  Esquire, 184, 218

 

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