84R17198 WG-D
By: Hughes H.R. No. 2057
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Homer Jones received well-deserved recognition for
his exceptional athletic career when he was inducted into the Texas
Black Sports Hall of Fame on February 7, 2015; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Jones first distinguished himself as a
multisport star during his time at Frederick Douglass High School
in Pittsburg; he played on the school's basketball team and posted
impressive times in the 100-yard and 200-yard dash races as a member
of the track and field squad; although he only played football
during his senior year, he garnered the interest of several
colleges and ultimately chose to attend Texas Southern University;
and
WHEREAS, This esteemed Texan became known as one of the
fastest athletes in TSU history, demonstrating his speed as a
member of the football and track teams; on the gridiron, he helped
the Tigers achieve a number of memorable wins, including a victory
over football powerhouse Grambling State University; his talents as
a college sprinter earned him a place on the United States Track and
Field Team, and he would go on to train for international
competition with future NFL Hall of Famer and Dallas Cowboy Bob
Hayes; and
WHEREAS, Originally drafted by the Houston Oilers of the
American Football League, Mr. Jones eventually joined the New York
Giants of the National Football League as a wide receiver; he was
named the team's most valuable player for 1967 after an exemplary
season in which he led the league in touchdown catches with 13, and
his average of 66.4 receiving yards per game remains a franchise
record; moreover, he was selected to the Pro Bowl on two separate
occasions; he was traded to the Cleveland Browns in 1970 and played
one season with that team before a knee injury forced him to retire
from the game; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Jones achieved further acclaim on the gridiron
by becoming the first player to "spike" the ball to celebrate a
touchdown, and he also returned a kickoff for a touchdown during the
first-ever broadcast of Monday Night Football in 1970; and
WHEREAS, An athlete possessing superb ability and
dedication, Homer Jones excelled against top competition in each of
his chosen sports, and he is indeed deserving of this notable
hall-of-fame honor; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Homer Jones on his induction into
the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame and extend to him sincere best
wishes for the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Jones as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.