Big crowd welcomes Jake Gaither house historic marker

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Legendary Florida A&M football coach Jake Gaither famously liked his players "mo-bile, ag-ile and hos-tile." On Friday, his legacy was underlined with something worth-while: A Florida historic marker at his former home.

More than 200 people turned out on a sunny afternoon to see the blue-and-white marker unveiled at 212 Young Street, where Gaither lived the last 40 years of his life. The marker culminated a yearlong effort by a local contractor, Cornelius Jones, to restore the home as a tribute to the late hall of fame coach.

"This is hallowed ground, this is sacred," said Eddie Jackson, a former FAMU sports information director. "I want to thank Mr. and Mrs. Jones for what they've done. Coach Gaither would be proud."

Alonzo "Jake" Gaither coached FAMU football from 1945 to 1969. Gaither led FAMU to seven black college national championships and three undefeated seasons. Gaither's all-time winning percentage of .844 (204-36-4) is one of the best in college history. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, the Florida Sports Hall of Fame and a dozen other halls of fame.



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