Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

The Los Angeles Rams are headed to the Super Bowl to face the Cincinnati Bengals, who experts said, was one team that wasn't expected to play in the big game; but experts, what do they know? Both teams are winners on the small stage, but only one can stand on the main stage to receive the Vince Lombardi Trophy. After last Sunday's game, the Rams received the National Football Conference(NFC) trophy, and the Bengals received the American Football Conference(AFC) trophy for their win. The presentation of the Rams trophy had a special meaning when former Carroll High School, Grambling, and NFL great James "Shack" Harris presented his former team the NFC Championship Trophy. For all of us football aficionados, Harris played professionally for the Buffalo Bills(drafted), the San Diego Chargers, and the L.A. Rams. Harris also did something significant for Black athletes that wanted to play football in the NFL. Harris became the first(a historic first) Black man to start at the quarterback position in a season opener in the NFL. Harris' career in the NFL began to blossom when he became a member of the L.A. Rams, as he won the 1974 Pro Bowl MVP Award. He also had six comeback victories in his career. In 1975, the Rams won the NFC Western Division title a second time, but Harris suffered an injury and was replaced. Harris did have success as an NFL quarterback, showing that when he was healthy, he could compete with his white counterparts. Harris' career as a quarterback began at Carroll High School in Monroe, LA. From there, Harris went to Grambling State University, where he honed his skills under legendary Coach Eddie Robinson. While at Grambling, Harris led the Tigers to a win or share of four Southwestern Athletic Conference(SWAC) under Coach Robinson. Many of those who attended Carroll during the time that Harris was there remember him fondly and relished in watching him present the trophy to the Rams, and Tommy Ballard, who is a former Carroll High Schooler. Many Carroll High School Bulldog Booster Club members felt that it was fitting that Harris was given the honor of presenting the NFC Championship Trophy to the Rams, a team that he knew well during his playing days. Ballard and others at Carroll know that Harris' role as a Black quarterback in the NFL helped open the doors for other Black football players to excel at the quarterback position. If it had not been for his big sister Lucille Richards, all the above wouldn't be. His big sister signed their mother's name on James "Shack" Harris' letter of intent to play college football at Grambling. Praise God for a big sister's courage! The rest is Black History!