FAMUans named to FHSAA "100 Greatest Players of First 100 Years"

Compiled by beepbeep, MEAC/SWAC Sports Main Street

As part of its celebration of “100 Years of Florida High School Football,” the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) unveiled its list of the “100 Greatest Players of the First 100 Years" in Florida, on yesterday.

The list was compiled from nominations submitted by media representatives from around the State of Florida, with final selections being made by a panel of high school sports experts, who spent more than 20 hours spread over 10 conference calls, and scores of emails, discussing and deliberating these and at least 100 other players who received serious consideration. The list was finalized on November 16, 2007.

Florida A&M University was appropriately recognized with four former Rattlers' greats and one Baby Rattler being named to this prestigious list of football all-stars.

The FAMU alumni named were: Willie Galimore, Robert "Bob" Hayes, Henry Lawrence, Ken Riley and Sam Madison from Florida A&M University Developmental Research School. Here are what the panel of experts had to say about each:

Henry Lawrence PL Manatee (Bradenton) 1969 Played at 3 different high schools in his prep career, starting at pre-integration Lincoln (Palmetto), then moving to Manatee before finishing senior year at Wyoming (N.Y.) Central. Was an OT who came back to Florida to attend FAMU from 1970-73 before beginning a 13-year career as a first-round draft pick for the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders from 1974-86. Played on 2 Super Bowl teams for the Raiders. Was a 2-time pro bowler at offensive tackle.

As a young migrant farm-worker, Lawrence became a mentor and role model for other migrant children. Henry first came to western New York from Florida in 1969 with his mother, sister, and two brothers, picking fruits and vegetables. The Center's programs encouraged him to stay in school. He was offered both an academic and a football scholarship to Florida A & M University, from which he graduated in 1974. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and is a recording artist. Henry's jersey #70 was retired by FAMU in 2007. Lawrence is also the only FAMU player selected as a NFL first round draft pick in the university's sports history.

Robert Lee "Bob Hayes" RB Matthew Gilbert (Jacksonville) 1959 Played only 2 years of high school football, but showed flashes of the athleticism that would eventually make him one of the greatest athletes to ever come out of Florida. Was a back-up RB on Gilbert's 11-0 FIAA state championship title team in 1958. Had a 99-yard TD run against Miami Washington. Made 2nd-team Big Nine Conference in 1959, rushing 78 times for 525 yards. Hayes played both football and ran track at Florida A&M University. Signed with the NFL Dallas Cowboys and represented the United States in the Tokyo Olympics.

At the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, Hayes won the gold medal in the 100 meters, tying the then-world record of 10.05 seconds, he also anchored the United States 400-meter relay team to victory in a world-record 39.06. Hayes' relay split was a sensational 8.6 and he earned the title "World's Fastest Human.'' Nearly 20 years later, The Los Angeles Times called it "the most astonishing sprint of all time.''

When the Dallas Cowboys won the 1972 Super Bowl, Bullet Bob Hayes became the only athlete to win an Olympic gold medal and a Super Bowl ring. More than 30 years later, he's still the only player with both.

Hayes' world-class speed forced defenses, unable to cover him with traditional man-to-man schemes, to devised zone defenses that are common in today's game. He finished an 11-year NFL career with 71 touchdown catches, a 20-yard average per catch, and 3 trips to the Pro Bowl. His statistics were comparable or better than many of the great receivers of his day and his career appeared worthy of Hall of Fame consideration. He hasn't made it, in part because of a drug and alcohol problem in an era when the public wasn't nearly as accustomed to seeing its sports stars struggle with their personal lives. Hayes died in 2002 in his hometown of Jacksonville, Florida.

Willie Galimore RB Excelsior (St. Augustine) 1952 "He was perhaps the greatest running back I ever saw or coached against" said Earl Kitchings, former head coach of Matthew Gilbert and Raines high schools. Considered by some experts to be the best Florida high school RB prior to Emmitt Smith. Remains leading rusher in FAMU history. Played for the NFL Chicago Bears from 1957-1963. Galimore was killed in an automobile accident on July 27, 1964 in Rensselaer, Indiana at the age of 29 with teammate John "Bo" Farrington. His number 28 has been retired by the Bears. He is a member of both the FAMU Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame.

Kenneth Jerome "Ken Riley" QB/DB Union Academy (Bartow) 1965 One of 9 Union Academy graduates who made it to NFL before school closed in 1968. Played offense and defense in high school and QB at FAMU, where he was a 3-time All-American. Moved back to the secondary in the NFL, where he played 14 seasons with 65 INTs. Was later head football coach (1986-93) and athletic director (1994-2003) at FAMU. In addition to being a skilled athlete, Riley also excelled academically. He earned his team's scholastic award and a Rhodes Scholar Candidacy. In 1977, Riley was enshrined in Florida A&M's Athletic Hall of Fame.

Photo: Doug Williams (left) and Ken Riley (right) shares a happy moment in Cincinnati to help promote the third annual River Front Classic, which pits Florida A&M against Grambling State on Sept. 15, 2001 at Paul Brown Stadium. The game never was played because of 9/11.

Riley played his entire career for the Cincinnati Bengals, in the American Football League in 1969 and in the NFL from 1970 through 1983. Riley recorded 65 interceptions in his career, which was the fourth most in Pro Football history at the time of his retirement behind three members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame; Dick Lane, Emlen Tunnell and Paul Krause. But despite his accomplishments, Riley was never an exceptionally popular or well known player. In his 15 seasons, Riley was never once selected to play in the AFL All-Star Game or the AFC - NFC Pro Bowl, and to this date has not been voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Sam Madison DB FAMU (Tallahassee) 1992 Played college ball for Louisville from 1993-96. Started final 3 years and finished with 16 career INTs and 44 pass breakups, both school records. Currently with the New York Giants. Has 36 career INTs and 4 Pro Bowl appearances as an NFL player.

Madison attended Florida A&M High School and won varsity letters in football, basketball, track and baseball. Madison was a second round pick in the 1997 NFL Draft (44th overall) by the Miami Dolphins. He was signed to a four year deal with the New York Giants, worth $7.4 million on March 10, 2006. He has been named to the Pro Bowl four consecutive years: 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002. Madison is represented by Drew Rosenhaus, one of the most aggressive player agents in the NFL. The 33 year old Thomasville, Georgia native is in his 11th NFL season.

You may read the complete list of Florida's 100 Greatest Players of the First 100 Years at: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-100players1204,0,86162.story

About the FHSAA: The Florida High School Athletic Association is the governing body for interscholastic athletic competition in Florida. It has a membership of more than 750 middle, junior and senior high schools.