Florida Governor Claude Kirk visited Jake Gaither, the nationally renowned coach of the Florida A & M University football team, circa 1967-70. (photo provided by Florida's Division of Historical Resources)Coaches group lauds Rattlers great with Trailblazer Award
Almost 40 years after he coached his last football game, Jake Gaither is still winning.
Gaither, who became a legend during a 24-year coaching career at FAMU, was recently named winner of the Trailblazer Award, a posthumous honor. He is the fourth winner of the prestigious national award that is given by the American Football Coaches Association.
The award recognizes black coaches who became greats of the game during an era when their accomplishments were seldom recognized. Gaither is considered on the same plateau with legend Paul "Bear" Bryant, who Gaither once recruited during the 1950s to assist with a coaches' clinic.
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