From one Spartan to another … from one North Carolinian to another … David Santiago congratulates Jimmy Raye
PHOTO: David Santiago dons the green and for the first time during spring football.
By TOM SHANAHAN
Michigan State defensive end David Santiago joined the Duffy History Champions club with this NIL video congratulating Michigan State Hall of Famer Jimmy Raye for his enshrinement in the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. The dinner is May 2 in Greensboro, N.C.
Santiago is a redshirt sophomore transfer from Air Force by way of Millbrook High in Raleigh, N.C. He joined Michigan State’s program in January and has made a quick impression upon completing his first spring football. The 6-foot-4, 245-pounder is projected as a starter.
He’s also been learning the history of Michigan State College Football Hall of Fame coach Duffy Daugherty leading college football integration. Michigan State is a singular story, although myths about Alabama and USC have diminished national awareness of the Spartans’ leading role.
Michigan State adds Santiago, rush end known for lifting his teammates – Tom Shanahan Report
Raye rode Daugherty’s Underground Railroad from segregated Fayetteville, N.C. to Michigan State, in 1964. He was the South’s first Black quarterback to win a national title as a sophomore backup on the 1965 national title team to All-American Steve Juday and a junior starter on the 1966 national championship team. He was one of only two Black starters in major college football in the 1966 season and returned as a starter in 1967.
In 1965, the Spartans (10-1-0) were crowned national champions by United Press International, National Football Foundation and co-champions by the Football Writers Association of America, while Alabama (9-1-1) was named by Associated Press and wells as the FWAA co-honors.
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In 1966, the NFF named MIchigan State (9-0-1) and Notre Dame (9-0-1) co-champions for their identical season records and 10-10 tie on the field in the Game of the Century played on November 19, 1966, at Spartan Stadium. A record TV audience of 33 million watched the game.
Raye also went on to a pioneering career at the college and NFL ranks. Daugherty hired him on the Spartans’ staff in 1972, and Raye was hired by the San Francisco 49ers, in 1977. At the time, he was one of only 10 Black assistants in a 28-team league.
By 1983, he was only the second Black coordinator in the NFL when Los Angeles Rams coach John Robinson named him the team’s offensive coordinator.
Raye was a mentor to many Black coaches throughout his 37 years in the league. The list of coaches included Tony Dungy, who named Raye in his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction speech.
Purchase links for RAYE OF LIGHT and THE RIGHT THING TO DO: Best College Football Books – Tom Shanahan Report
Learn about our documentary in development: GAME CHANGERS OF THE CENTURY: Jimmy Raye’s quarterback and coaching careers span Jim Crow segregation to honored Fayetteville citizen to NC Sports Hall of Fame – Tom Shanahan Report
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Tom Shanahan is an award-winning sportswriter and frequent contributor to Spartanmag.com in addition to posting on his website. 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
