The newspaper industry provided me a four-decade career experiencing inspiration, dedication and just plain fun. The start of my career covering the Chargers, college, high school sports and Olympic athletes came full circle with Don Coryell’s Pro Football Hall of Fame induction on August 5 in Canton, Ohio. I helped Hall of Famer Dan Fouts with research on Coryell’s remarkable record of first-time Pro Bowlers with the SAN DIEGO Chargers and Cardinal for Fouts’ presentation to the voters
PHOTO (News & Observer): Wake Forest linebacker Zane Williams directors the Cougars’ defense.
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By TOM SHANAHAN
WAKE FOREST — Two Wake County high school football powers matched up a week ago when Wake Forest traveled to Leesville Road. Their showdown lived up to the billing, providing a reminder not to take prep sports for granted.
In fact, if a burgeoning filmmaker had been seeking a “Friday Night Lights” atmosphere, this was the real thing — Triangle style. No casting calls necessary to stage extras as excited fans.
Those who took the non-conference game for granted missed varying minutes of the first quarter. They were caught in traffic backed up entering the parking lots until they made their way into the packed stadium.
“It was a great atmosphere,” said Zane Williams, Wake Forest’s senior linebacker committed to play at NC State. “The weather was perfect. The fans were great and the students turned out. I just wished the score wasn’t so close.”
Click here for the remainder of my News & Observer story.
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Previous weekly features this season:
— September 15, South Garner’s Nnamdi Ogboko, Georgia commit
— September 8, Southeast Raleigh’s Chase Robinson, two offers.
— September 1, Southern Durham’s Isaiah Campbell, 30-plus offers.
— August 25, Rolesville’s Isiah Jones, committed to NC State
— August 18, Millbrook’s Mason Fortune, underrated prospect.
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Click here for my story on the 1962 Rose Bowl and Segregation awarded first place by the Football Writers Association of America. I tell untold stories on Michigan State’s leading role and the true pioneers of college football integration. Click here to read a summary.
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RAYE OF LIGHT
Jimmy Raye, Duffy Daugherty, the 1ntegration of College Football and the 1965-66 Michigan State Spartans
Foreword by Tony Dungy
