The Haggar Gold Jacket Report - Issue 17

Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback WILLIE BROWN was on hand at the Tracy Facility San Joaquin Depot, in Tracy, Calif. to surprise SFC Sal Reyes, Jr., 149th Chemical Company, California National Guard at his retirement ceremony.

“I think it’s great, the guy’s in this area, I live here, [Reyes] is retiring here,” Brown said. “Anything I can do to contribute to the success of this community I’ll do it because of the respect I have for them. It’s good being right here in Tracy.”

As the guest speaker, Brown answered questions from the soldiers in Reyes’ unit and told stories of his playing days.

“It meant a lot, I’ve been a Raider fan ever since I was growing up in L.A. all the way to Oakland,” Reyes, a 20-year military man, said. “Having his type of leadership on the team was instrumental. I felt that made a great example to my unit. It was a blessing to have him here.”

After the ceremony, which was organized and facilitated by Capt. Shannon Terry and SSG Nicholas Barragan, Brown posed for photos and signed autographs as the attendees enjoyed refreshments.

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Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive back RONNIE LOTT spent 14 seasons in the National Football League putting fear into any player who dared go over the middle of the football field. The Class of 2000 enshrinee was one of the driving forces on a San Francisco 49ers’ team that won four Super Bowls. Prior to his pro career, Lott played four years at the University of Southern California (1977-80) where he helped lead the Trojans to two Rose Bowl victories and the 1978 national championship and was a consensus All-American as a senior.

Following his playing days Lott became an NFL analyst with FOX Sports from 1996-98. This August Lott heads back to the booth as he joins Rick Neuheisel and Summer Sanders as on-air personalities as the "faces" of the Pac-12 Network.

The Pac-12 Networks consist of one national and six regional networks that will provide 24/7 access to Pac-12 teams and universities. The networks will televise approximately 350 live events nationally, including 35 football games, more than 100 men’s basketball games, 40 women’s basketball games and hundreds of Pac-12 Olympic sports.

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New England Patriots linebacker and Pro Football Hall of Famer ANDRE TIPPETT will be one of eight to be inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame tomorrow (Saturday, May 12).

A native of Birmingham, Ala. Tippett lived there until he was seven until his mother found better opportunities in Newark, N.J.  Still, Birmingham and Alabama has always held a spot in Andre’s heart for the safety and security it has provided him over the years.

"When I saw the magnitude of players listed, it was like, 'Wow.' I'm truly blessed and humbled, I'm excited and elated …To be mentioned with JOHN HANNAH, who I have so much respect for and had the honor of being his teammate for so many years, and legends like Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Jesse Owens – I could go on and on. I am truly blessed," Tippett said.

Other members of the ASHOF Class of 2012 include: Artis Gilmore (basketball), E.J. Junior (football), Bryan Kirkland (paralympian), Mal Moore (coaching), Charley Pell (coaching), Steve Wallace (football), and Dan Washburn

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Pro Football Hall of Fame running back FRANCO HARRIS is getting his "army" back together. This time the former Steeler is recruiting help to fight poverty. The Class of 1990 enshrinee will be launching Franco’s Army to End Poverty through the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor Foundation.

The foundation, which provides health care, food, shelter, education, vocational training and advocacy in Brazil, Italy, the Philippines, Senegal and the United States, will also be honoring Harris, a long-time board member, during  its third annual fundraising event to strike out poverty on June 13 at Yankee Stadium.

Linda Christian, executive director of the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor Foundation, says "we are so excited to revive Franco's Army and put them to work for this vital cause to end poverty around the globe."

PHOTO: Hall of Fame quarterback TERRY BRADSHAW shows his support of Franco's Army.

Links Related to this story:

HOF Bios: Terry Bradshaw | Willie Brown | John Hannah | Franco Harris | Ronnie Lott | Andre Tippett
More: Football and America, online exhibit about the NFL and the military

Archived:

Issue 16 (May 4) | Issue 15 (April 27) | Issue 14 (April 20) | Issue 13 (April 13) | Issue 12 (April, 6) | Issue 11 (Mar. 30) | Issue 10 (Mar. 23) | Issue 9 (Mar.16) | Issue 8 (Mar. 9) | Issue 7 (Mar. 2) | Issue 6 (Feb. 24) | Issue 5 (Feb. 17) | Issue 4 (Feb. 10) | Issue 3 (Feb. 3) |  Issue 2 (Jan. 27) | Issue 1 (Jan. 20)