Texas Gridiron Legends
Lamar Hunt: A True Texas Gridiron Legend
Each year the Texas Bowl will honor Texans who have made significant contributions
to the game of football both on and off the field. There could be no one more
worthy of this honor than Lamar Hunt, who passed away on December 13, 2006,
in Dallas after a lengthy illness.
Mr. Hunt spent his childhood in both Tyler and Dallas, Texas before graduating from Southern Methodist University in 1956 with a degree in Geology. He later entered the family oil business along with his brothers, Bunker and Herbert, before founding the American Football League (AFL) in 1960, thus beginning his longtime association with professional football.
Mr. Hunt was a devoted Christian, a loving husband, father and grandfather, who enjoyed a vibrant life filled with many dear friends, He was a man of extraordinary vision, faith and integrity, whose deep sense of humility was one of his most unwavering and most endearing traits.
Mr. Hunt served as the guiding figure behind the formation of both the AFL and the Dallas Texans franchise, which would later become the Kansas City Chiefs. He was the first AFL figure to be enshrined in the Professional Football Hall of Fame in 1972, a remarkable feat considering he became involved in the game just 13 years earlier.
As the founder of the AFL, he helped pave the way for much of the modern growth of pro football. Possibly the greatest tribute to Mr. Hunt's contribution to the sport was naming by the National Football League of the Lamar Hunt Trophy, which is presented annually to the champion of the American Football Conference. Mr. Hunt is also credited with putting the name "Super Bowl" on the NFL's championship game — the name coming from his children's toy, "Super Ball."
In 1962, his Texans won the AFL Championship with a victory over the Houston Oilers. After three years in Dallas, Mr. Hunt moved his team to Kansas City in 1963, where the organization was renamed the Chiefs. His team repeated as AFL Champions in both 1966 and 1969. The Chiefs played in the first Super Bowl against the NFL Champion Green Bay Packers.
Three years later, the Chiefs claimed Kansas City's first major sports championship by defeating the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IV.
While the Chiefs always remained Mr. Hunt's most prized sporting entity, his passion for athletics encompassed more than just the game of football. Appropriately nicknamed "Games" during his childhood, Mr. Hunt's love of sports was his true lifeblood, an enthusiasm which led to his involvement in six different professional sports leagues and seven sports franchises.
In 1981, Mr. Hunt was inducted into the NFL Alumni Association's prestigious Order of the Leather Helmet, and in February of 1993, he received the Francis J. "Reds" Bagnell Award from the Maxwell Football Club of Philadelphia for continuing positive contributions to the game of football.
While attending Southern Methodist University, Mr. Hunt was a three-year reserve end on the Varsity Football Team. He was an avid supporter of his alma mater and served on the school's board of trustees. Mr. Hunt was also a proud graduate of the Hill School in Pottstown, Penn., where he was captain of an undefeated football team, voted "Most Well-Liked", "Most Likely to Succeed" and Student Body President.
Along with his family, Mr. Hunt was involved in numerous philanthropic and civic efforts in Dallas, across the state of Texas and in the Kansas City community. He was also a long-time member of Park Cities Presbyterian Church.
Lamar Hunt will be remembered as an innovator and leader by football fans across the country but especially in Texas.
The Other Texas Gridiron Legends
Joining Lamar Hunt as Texas Gridiron Legends for the Inaugural Texas Bowl are Kenny Houston, Roosevelt Leaks, Jerry LeVias, Don Maynard and GA Moore, Jr.
Kenny Houston, 1967-1980, Houston Oilers and Washington Redskins
Pro Football Hall of Famer, Kenny Houston, excelled as a free safety during his football tenure. Houston began his career at Lufkin H.S. in Lufkin, TX and then went on to play at Prairie View A&M.
A 1967 NFL draft pick, Houston played for 14 years in the NFL, splitting his time between the Houston Oilers and the Washington Redskins. During his time in the NFL, Houston returned 49 interceptions for a total of 898 yards, recovered 21 fumbles, scored 12 touchdowns and was selected to 12 straight Pro Bowls.
Roosevelt Leaks, 1975-1979 Baltimore Colts, 1980-1983 Buffalo Bills
Roosevelt Leaks was born in Brenham, TX and attended Brenham HS. Leaks went on to have a successful collegiate career as a fullback at the University of Texas where he became the first African-American athlete to earn All-America and All-Conference honors for the Texas Longhorns.
Drafted in the 1974 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Colts, Leaks enjoyed a nine-year professional career with the Colts and Buffalo Bills. Leaks' success was highlighted with his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in December of 2005.
Jerry LeVias, 1969-1974, Houston Oilers and San Diego Chargers
Jerry LeVias was the first African-American scholarship athlete and football player in the Southwest Athletic Conference. Born in Beaumont, TX, LeVias attended Hebert HS where he played quarterback until moving onto Southern Methodist University where he became a three time All-Conference player, and a collegiate All-American. He twice led the Southwest Athletic Conference in receiving and held every career record by the end of his college career.
LeVias was drafted by the Oilers in 1969 and finished his career with the San Diego Chargers. LeVias was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 1995 and to the National College Football Hall of Fame in 2003.
Don Maynard, 1958 New York Giants, 1960-1972 New York Titans/Jets, 1973 St. Louis Cardinals
Don Maynard was born in Crosbyton, TX, went to Colorado City High School in Texas and attended Texas Western College where he became a two-time All-Border Conference halfback. Don Maynard began his Pro Football Hall of Fame career when he was drafted by the New York Giants in 1957.
Over his 17 year career Maynard was four times named an AFL All-Star and accumulated a record setting 633 career catches for 11,834 yards. At the time of his retirement, Maynard was one of only five players to record more than 50 receptions and more than 1,000 receiving yards in five different seasons
G.A. Moore, 1962-2004 Texas High School Coach
G.A. Moore graduated from Pilot Point High School in 1957, where he earned 16 letters in football, basketball, track and baseball. He was named All State in football and basketball and received a football scholarship to Northern Texas State University.
After graduation from NTSU Moore enter into high school coaching, where over the next 42 years he amassed 412-83-9 record. Moore is the most winningest coach in Texas high school history and second in Texas high school state titles with 8 championships.
The ticket office is closed. Thank you for making this a great Texas Bowl in 2007!
DePelchin Children's Center is the official charitable beneficiary of the Texas Bowl.
Give to DePelchin >
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
The Texas Bowl will feature teams from the Big 12, Conference USA, Mountain West and Big East.
 |
 |
 |
 |
The Football Bowl Association (FBA) is dedicated to "promoting the college bowl experience."
For more information, visit the FBA website.
 |
VisitHoustonTexas.com: Special Texas Bowl deals and travel information. |
|
Reliant Stadium: Information and history. |
|
Houston Texans | Lone Star Sports & Entertainment |
|
Season Ticket Holders: Manage your online account here. |
|
Texas Gridiron Legends |
Like a true Texas hero, Ray Rice donned a white cowboy hat after leading Rutgers
to one more milestone victory.
Rice ran for 170 yards and a touchdown, Tim Brown caught two TD passes and the 16th-ranked Scarlet Knights won a bowl game for the first time... Read the full story.
