Earl Heath

America ‘s past has had its share of  segregation and there have many who have pioneered the way for many. Jerry LeVias is one of those pioneers. He helped open the door for blacks in the Southwestern Conference. He took the time and shared some experiences with me.

He was known as Jerry “The Jet“ LeVias a quarterback at Herbert High in Beaumont, Texas. He was listed as 5'9" and 177 pounds, (but actually measured closer to 5'7" and 140 pounds out of high school) but made up for his size with great speed.

During the sixties most of the black high school athletes in Texas left the state to play in college sports elsewhere.

Two included LeVias’s cousins Miller Farr (UCLA) and Mel Farr (Wichita State). They both went on to play in the NFL.

The Legendary Bubba Smith was the top Beaumont player during that time period and he went on to become All-American at Michigan State

Author Jim Dent and Jerry LeVias put together a book "The Kids Got It Right; How The Texas All-Stars Kicked Down Racial Walls."

The Southwest Conference had a “gentleman’s agreement” not to recruit blacks. LeVias was recruited by a large number of out of state colleges.

It took Hayden Fry in 1965 then SMU’s Head coach to step in. LeVias and his family trusted Fry. When he visited the home he always talked about education and getting a degree. Rarely did he talk football.

When Fry got the geen-light to bring a black athlete in. The average student had to have a 700 test score for entry to SMU. Fry was told LeVias had to have a 1000 to gain entry- his score was over 1200.

Thus began, LeVias said, years of "living hell." For four years he had no roommate. A breaking point when a player from a opposing team spit on him. 

He wore No.23, at his grandmother's insistence, for Psalm 23. She felt her grandson would get through anything like David.

It was his sophomore year when Dr. Martin Luther King came to visit the Dallas campus to give a speech. He and met privately LeVias “Always keep your emotions in control is what he told me”, said LeVias.

LeVias was three times consensus All-SWC 1966–68, and All-American as a senior. He twice led the league in receiving and held every career record when his three varsity seasons ended, including the single game mark for reception yardage (when he caught 8 passes for 213 yards against North Carolina State in 1968.) LeVias ended his career with a TD catch in SMU's scintillating victory over the Oklahoma Sooners in the 1968 Bluebonnet Bowl and followed that as the MVP of the Senior Bowl.

He also was Walter Camp First Team All-American in 1968. He was part of the backfield that honored Leroy Keys and O.J. Simpson –Other members of the team included Joe Greene and  Jake Scott.

“The Walter Camp dinner was a great experience”, said LeVias.  “It was the idea of trying on a tuxedo and talking to the different players. There was no animosity with those players. Jake and I played against each other in the Cotton Bowl.”

Despite all the turbulent times and atmosphere People LeVias graduated on time with a marketing degree and was Academic All-America.How does he feels today. “We are still on this journey for equality and racism.