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Earl Christian Campbell (The Tyler Rose)
Position: RB Height: 5-11 Weight: 232 lbs. Born: March 29, 1955 in Tyler, TX High School: John Tyler College: University of Texas at Austin Drafted by the Houston Oilers in the 1st round of 1978 NFL Draft Weighted Career AV (100-95) 68 (607th overall since 1950) 5-time Pro Bowler & 3-time First-Team All-Pro Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1991 |
Charity
Since leaving the game of football, Earl Campbell has done much regarding local and national charities. Whether working with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, or Houston Children's Charity's, or helping the Shriners Hospital to raise money, he has certainly been active in giving back to the community at all levels. Below are just a few examples of the charitable works he has been involved with.
PRO PLAYER FOUNDATION
Earl is the host of Flavors of Austin, an exclusive benefit to help raise awareness for Multiple Sclerosis. He also serves as one of the co-hosts of Flavors of the Gas Lamp, an event created to help raise awareness and funds for cancer research, and
honor family members who have been lost to the disease.
Since leaving the game of football, Earl Campbell has done much regarding local and national charities. Whether working with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, or Houston Children's Charity's, or helping the Shriners Hospital to raise money, he has certainly been active in giving back to the community at all levels. Below are just a few examples of the charitable works he has been involved with.
PRO PLAYER FOUNDATION
Earl is the host of Flavors of Austin, an exclusive benefit to help raise awareness for Multiple Sclerosis. He also serves as one of the co-hosts of Flavors of the Gas Lamp, an event created to help raise awareness and funds for cancer research, and
honor family members who have been lost to the disease.
Earl Campbell ranks among the greatest football players in the history of the sport. His story is one with many trial and tribulations, constantly fighting an uphill battle until, alas, he was able to overcome such tremendous adversity that he achieved the highest awards given to both a college player and a professional.
The son of Bert and Ann Campbell, Earl was born on March 29, 1955, the sixth of what would be eleven children. As a young child, he grew up working with his father in the rose fields of East Texas. His father was forced to work two jobs, and when Earl was eleven, his father died of a major heart attack, leaving his mother to rear the children. The principle family ideals consisted of: pride in one’s self, love for the family and faith in God. With the passage of Earl’s father, the children were forced to accept new roles within the family unit, although his mother continued to bear the responsibility for financial matters.
Earl’s football career began with flag football in the fifth grade. Thorndike Lewis, a young teacher at Earl’s school, introduced him to the sport. Mr. Lewis would go on to be one of Earl’s mentors, role models and coaches helped to advance Earl’s skills.
What is important to take note of, other than being from an extraordinarily large, dirt poor family in East Texas, is that racism was still a prominent element of daily life. Being African American and poor in East Texas at that time were two serious strikes against him. But due to his tremendous work ethic, strength, athletic ability, and his overwhelming desire to succeed, Earl was able to beat the odds.
Earl’s high school football career was a glorious one. Beyond just winning the state championship, he was recruited by many top-level colleges. Because his mom did not want him to travel far from home, the list of colleges was narrowed to the University of Houston, Baylor, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and the University of Texas. Earl’s illustrious college career was won over by the University of Texas.
Before Earl’s leaving for college, his mother Ann told the UT recruiter,” I just want you to know that I’m holdin’ you personally responsible for my Earl. While he’s there in Austin, you watch over my rock, and be sure no harm comes to him, and I’ll always be grateful that you came through on our agreement.”
Earl Campbell launched his college career in 1974. He felt very privileged to attend and made it a point to not only attend all of his classes, but to also sit in the front row. He wanted more than just a career in football; he wanted a degree as well.
But his accolades on the football field are what brought him glory and fame. While at the University of Texas, he rushed for 4443 yards and 41 touchdowns, making him one of the most prolific running backs in the history of college football. During his final season at UT, he ran for 1744, with 800 of those yards being gained after initial contact from a defensive player. As a result of his accomplishments on the field, he was awarded with college football’s highest honor, the 43rd Heisman Memorial Trophy.
Earl Campbell was drafted Number One in the First Round in the 1978 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers. He was about to perform on a stage like no other…and perform he did. Beyond all of his greatness that he achieved in both high school and college, Earl Campbell not only helped the Oilers to become one of the dominant teams in the NFL during his tenure, but he also gave tremendous hope and pride to a whole city that yearned for such things. He was a special player on the field and a wonder off the field. When he came to Houston after signing his contract to play for the Oilers, he bought his mom a beautiful house. Greatness was not lost on him, for instead of hubris, he was the embodiment of a calm, collected, and humble man.
When he was on the field, he devastated teams who ranked among the most notorious defensive clubs of all time; Super Bowl Championship winning teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Oakland Raiders, the Miami Dolphins, and, of course that other Texas team, the Dallas Cowboys. He ran with a style unlike other running backs of his day. Instead of running away from huge defensive linemen, he ran right at and through them. He is known to be one of the greatest power runners in the history of the National Football League.
Through the course of Earl Campbell’s career he was able to rack up many great achievements; multiple Pro Bowl appearances, Rookie of the Year Award, gained over ten thousand offensive yards from scrimmage. But his greatest accomplishment was to be honored as a NFL Hall of Fame inductee in Canton, Ohio in 1991.
The son of Bert and Ann Campbell, Earl was born on March 29, 1955, the sixth of what would be eleven children. As a young child, he grew up working with his father in the rose fields of East Texas. His father was forced to work two jobs, and when Earl was eleven, his father died of a major heart attack, leaving his mother to rear the children. The principle family ideals consisted of: pride in one’s self, love for the family and faith in God. With the passage of Earl’s father, the children were forced to accept new roles within the family unit, although his mother continued to bear the responsibility for financial matters.
Earl’s football career began with flag football in the fifth grade. Thorndike Lewis, a young teacher at Earl’s school, introduced him to the sport. Mr. Lewis would go on to be one of Earl’s mentors, role models and coaches helped to advance Earl’s skills.
What is important to take note of, other than being from an extraordinarily large, dirt poor family in East Texas, is that racism was still a prominent element of daily life. Being African American and poor in East Texas at that time were two serious strikes against him. But due to his tremendous work ethic, strength, athletic ability, and his overwhelming desire to succeed, Earl was able to beat the odds.
Earl’s high school football career was a glorious one. Beyond just winning the state championship, he was recruited by many top-level colleges. Because his mom did not want him to travel far from home, the list of colleges was narrowed to the University of Houston, Baylor, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and the University of Texas. Earl’s illustrious college career was won over by the University of Texas.
Before Earl’s leaving for college, his mother Ann told the UT recruiter,” I just want you to know that I’m holdin’ you personally responsible for my Earl. While he’s there in Austin, you watch over my rock, and be sure no harm comes to him, and I’ll always be grateful that you came through on our agreement.”
Earl Campbell launched his college career in 1974. He felt very privileged to attend and made it a point to not only attend all of his classes, but to also sit in the front row. He wanted more than just a career in football; he wanted a degree as well.
But his accolades on the football field are what brought him glory and fame. While at the University of Texas, he rushed for 4443 yards and 41 touchdowns, making him one of the most prolific running backs in the history of college football. During his final season at UT, he ran for 1744, with 800 of those yards being gained after initial contact from a defensive player. As a result of his accomplishments on the field, he was awarded with college football’s highest honor, the 43rd Heisman Memorial Trophy.
Earl Campbell was drafted Number One in the First Round in the 1978 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers. He was about to perform on a stage like no other…and perform he did. Beyond all of his greatness that he achieved in both high school and college, Earl Campbell not only helped the Oilers to become one of the dominant teams in the NFL during his tenure, but he also gave tremendous hope and pride to a whole city that yearned for such things. He was a special player on the field and a wonder off the field. When he came to Houston after signing his contract to play for the Oilers, he bought his mom a beautiful house. Greatness was not lost on him, for instead of hubris, he was the embodiment of a calm, collected, and humble man.
When he was on the field, he devastated teams who ranked among the most notorious defensive clubs of all time; Super Bowl Championship winning teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Oakland Raiders, the Miami Dolphins, and, of course that other Texas team, the Dallas Cowboys. He ran with a style unlike other running backs of his day. Instead of running away from huge defensive linemen, he ran right at and through them. He is known to be one of the greatest power runners in the history of the National Football League.
Through the course of Earl Campbell’s career he was able to rack up many great achievements; multiple Pro Bowl appearances, Rookie of the Year Award, gained over ten thousand offensive yards from scrimmage. But his greatest accomplishment was to be honored as a NFL Hall of Fame inductee in Canton, Ohio in 1991.