On a day when the media is a ga-ga over the stupid, asinine words of shock jock Don Imus in describing the Rutgers University women's basketball team, it is worth reflecting upon the passing of Eddie Robinson, a true American legend.
Unlike Imus, Sharpton and MANY others Eddie Robinson was all class.
Though he grew up under the humiliation of segregation and worked while battling institutional racism, he always appeared above being bitter. He once said:
"The best way to enjoy life in America is to first be an American, and I don't think you have to be white to do so. Blacks have had a hard time, but not many Americans haven't."
His greatness is reflected by the accomplishments of being the second winningest coach in college football history, the first college coach in history win 400 games and by sending over 200 student-athletes off to play professional football.
But in my mind what truly set Eddie Robinson apart, was his ability to turn obstacles, into successes and the graceful way he went about doing it.
He coached at the tiny historically black college of Grambling University. Located in the hinder lands, halfway between Shreveport, Louisiana and Arkansas (or so I am told), with little to no operating budget, a stadium seating capacity of only 13,000...
...he merely sent the first black football player to the pros, got his team invited to play in The Big Apple- New York City- at Yankee Stadium and played before 220,000 paying customers during one season.
Eddie Robinson was a creator. He knew how to create success on the football field, and in the lives of those around him in the process.
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