PHOTO: Pat Gallinagh (55) pursues Notre Dame quarterback Terry Hanratty along with College Football Hall of Famers Bubba Smith (95) and George Webster (90) in the 1966 Game of the Century at Spartan Stadium. Hanratty suffered a broken collarbone on the tackle by Smith.

Michigan State defensive lineman Pat Gallinagh wrote this poem to commemorate the enshrinement of the 1965 and 1966 teams in MSU Hall of Fame. Gallinagh was an Academic All-American and second-team All-Big Ten pick on the 1966 national title team that played Notre Dame in the Game of the Century. Gallinagh was a long-time high school coach enshrined in 1998 in the Michigan High School Coaches Association.

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The 1965 & 66 Spartan football teams are arguably the best in history of Michigan State
But it was not just their gridiron accomplishments that made them awesome great
On their way two Big Ten and National championships they dispelled some racist myths
And helped tear down the crumbling walls of segregation as will be stated forthwith

They were the first two Spartan teams to play  ten game regular seasons
And the last two Spartan to go thru the regular season undefeated for these reasons
They had lots of talent of this there is no doubt
But it was overshadowed by their teamwork which carried lots of clout

Their schedule was brutal but they never blinked an eye
They accepted the challenges eagerly and victory was their battle  cry
Their non-conference foes were powerhouses that stretched from coast to coast
And some pundits predicted the Spartans would wind up being toast

In 65, UCLA, Penn State, and Notre Dame were tough and worthy foes
But the Spartans handled each and sent them home with lots of woes
In 66 they traded the Bruins for NC State  along with all their Big Ten rivals
They finished the season undefeated and claimed a  back to back national titles 

But their actions on the field would pale to their contribution for civil rights
They proved a fully integrated football team could win all the big game fights
That a white majority could elect and follow  two black captains 
And that a black quarterback could handle the pressure and negative reactions

Not every one was happy when Duffy named Jimmy Raye to start
But Jimmy answered his critics and naysayer’s with all his soul  and heart
He proved that talent and determination can trump privilege and race
And he led the Spartans to an undefeated season not matched in time or space

These two teams fought with tenacity and courage against great odds
And neither Mother Nature nor opponents could upset the football gods
They played in scorching heat, frigid winds and pouring rain
And against both their opponents and the elements victory did proclaim

It is only fitting that these two teams are the first to inducted into our Hall of Fame
They helped pave the way for other changes that needed to be made
So as we contemplate this honor let us remember all of those who have passed 
That helped make our teams a beacon for other Spartans to follow in our path

To date no Spartans football teams have matched our records or our fame
That stands there as an incentive for future Spartan team to surpass and proudly  claim
But perhaps our greatest accomplishments was not the final score
But in helping make America a better place and helping our ideals to restore

By Pat Gallinagh
Member of both the 1965 & 1966 teams

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Tom Shanahan is an award-winning sportswriter and frequent contributor to Spartanamag.com. His new book on Michigan State leading college football integration is, “THE RIGHT THING TO DO, The True Pioneers of College Football Integration in the 1960s.” His first book was “RAYE OF LIGHT, Jimmy Raye, Duffy Daugherty, the Integration of College Football and the 1965-66 Michigan State Spartans.”

I invite you to follow me on Twitter @shanny4055

Below are links to click on to purchase my books focused.

My books tell the true story of college football integration in the 1960s and address the myths and fiction that allowed a false narrative surrounding the 1970 USC-Alabama game to usurp the credit from the true pioneers. As I said when I spoke at the National Sports Media Association book festival, no two books provide an accurate portrayal more than RAYE OF LIGHT and THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

I’ll put my facts up against anybody, anytime, anywhere. Watch here.

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 the summary as a first-place story.

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Click here to purchase The Right Thing To Do

THE RIGHT THING TO DO

The True Pioneers of College Football Integration in the 1960s

Foreword by Ruffin McNeill

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Click here to purchase Raye of Light.

RAYE OF LIGHT

Jimmy Raye, Duffy Daugherty, the 1ntegration of College Football and the 1965-66 Michigan State Spartans

Foreword by Tony Dungy

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Click here to purchase my children’s book, Bubba’s Dad, Duffy and College Football’s Underground Railroad

The book for now is only a Kindle version on Amazon. Print and audio platforms available soon.

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My next children’s book coming soon: How Duffy Put Hawaii on the Football Map