Speech from Gideon Smith’s grandson at Ferris State Hall of Fame enshrinement

PHOTO (Ferris State): John Belcher and Ferris State athletic director Steve Brockelbank. Visit my website homepage, TomShanahan.Report *** Below is the speech John Belcher, grandson of Gideon Smith, delivered on behalf of his late grandfather at the Ferris State Hall of Fame enshrinement on August 30, 2023, in Big Rapids, Michigan. Gideon Smith journeyed from segregated Viriginia to Ferris in 1910 and was the school's first Black football player. He was among the Black students Ferris founder Woodbridge…

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TomShanahan.Report and NIL partners

Visit my website homepage, TomShanahan.Report So far, my Duffy History Champions are Michigan State golfers Brooke Biermann and Katie Lu and Ferris State football players Marcus Taylor and Marshawn Lee. Listen to my partners for Name, Image and Likeness videos, and their endorsements of "Raye of Light" and "The Right Thing To Do." Michigan State golfers Katie Lu and Brooke Biermann https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWKr9hgL-rE This is an updated version noting Michigan State's golf success during the 2023 golf season. Biermann…

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Gideon Smith’s inspring journey to his third college Hall of Fame

PHOTO (MIchigan State Archives): Gideon Smith was honored among his Michigan State teammates at halftime of a game in 1953 on the 40th anniversary of their unbeaten 1913 season. Visit my website homepage, TomShanahan.Report By TOM SHANAHAN Gideon Smith’s journey began in 1910 seeking education above the Mason-Dixon Line. The story continued while gaining acceptance through sports — first playing football in the north and later coaching it in the south. His rich life, largely overlooked, has earned…

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