Former FAMU football star determined to earn degree

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- He was a dynamic player with the ability to change the game at a moment’s notice.

Former FAMU star LeRoy Vann was the fifth player to reach 1,000 yards in both kickoff returns and punt returns in NCAA FCS history. Vann also was a two time All-American and a second team All-Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL).

“In every football game there are five plays that determine whether or not you win or lose. All five of those plays are in special teams,” said Joe Taylor, the athletic director at Virginia State who was Vann’s coach at FAMU. “LeRoy Vann was our special teams guru.”

Taylor led FAMU to a share of the MEAC championship in 2011 before he stepped down midway through the 2012 season. He remembers Vann on the gridiron like it was yesterday.

“One-hundred-ninety guys wanted to come out for football and LeRoy was one of the guys and I wanted to get to know why they were there,” said Taylor.

Most people looked at Vann as too competitive and aggressive to play the game, but Taylor and his staff found a way to channel that competitive spirit and make it positive.



CONTINUE READING