Edward J. Robinson - Wil the Thrill: The Untold Story of Wilbert Montgomery

I grew up a passionate Dallas Cowboy fan, but I have long since mellowed. Running backs such as the late Walter Payton of the Chicago Bears, Terry Metcalf of the St. Louis Cardinals, and Wilbert Montgomery of the Philadelphia Eaglesperennial rivals and conference foes of the Cowboystaught me to appreciate gifted athletes even if they played for opposing teams. Montgomery's relative obscurity particularly intrigued me, and my exploration of his journey from Mississippi to Texas and on to Pennsylvania only deepened my admiration for him. Montgomery's natural ability combined with his grit and spirit of sacrifice empowered his rise from poverty and obscurity to the national athletic scene. All this seemed a story that needed telling. Yet Montgomery would be first to point out that his athletic pilgrimage was no solo trip, since he had many tutors, cheerleaders, and supporters along the way.

The same holds true for me in writing this book, which would have been impossible had it not been for assistance from many people. Librarians at both Abilene Christian University and Southwestern Christian College helped me track down important sources. Wilbert Montgomery's high school coach Gary Dempsey welcomed me into his home in Mississippi on two different occasions and answered many follow-up questions by telephone other times. Former Abilene Christian University coach and athletic director Wally Bullington did the same and more. He graciously retrieved for me the telephone numbers of several of his former players and made it possible for me to contact some of them for interviews. Through his assistances I was able to conduct interviews with the following people: Odis Dolton, Addie Felts, Ricky Felts, Ove Johansson, Wilbert Montgomery, Hubert Pickett, Randy Scott, Bob Strader, and Greg Stirman. Former ACU professors and alumniincluding Terry Childers, Ron Hadfield, Charles Hodge, David Merrell, Jack Reese, John C. Whitley, Otis Wright, and his sister Rena Wrightoffered me their own perspectives on Wilbert Montgomery. Derron Montgomery, Wilbert's talented son, underscored his love and appreciation for his dad, and he helped me to understand what it was like to have a renowned and reputable father. Patrick M. Gleason, public relations manager for the Baltimore Ravens, helped me secure interviews with three of Wilbert Montgomery's current protgs, Le'Ron McClain, Willis McGahee, and Ray Rice. I also express my heartfelt gratitude to Don and Kay Williams for funding a research trip to Mississippi. These individuals were in many ways my cheerleaders, since after each interview I felt inspired to plug away at this work.

Special thanks go to Texas Tech University Press editors Jorge Iber and Judith Keeling for believing in this project, and to copyeditor Dawn Ollila. John L. Robinson, a retired professor from ACU, helped me smooth out the rough edges of this manuscript. Thanks again, John. And, of course, without my wife and three daughtersmy most important cheerleadersthis book could not have been written. I dedicate this book to the memory of Wilbert Montgomery's loving mother, Gladys, and to John C. Whitley, the first African American professor at ACU, whose work and legacy have been virtually forgotten.

Appendix I

Wilbert Montgomery's Collegiate Statistics

1973: 111 (Freshman Season)

*TC=Total Carries

*RuYds=Rushing Yards

*PC=Pass Catches

*ReYds=Receiving Yards

*TDs=Touchdowns

Compiled from The Wilbert Montgomery File at Abilene Christian University.

Appendix II

Wilbert Montgomery's Collegiate Statistics

1974: 74 (Sophomore Season)

*TC=Total Carries

*Ru Yds=Rushing Yards

*PC=Pass Catches

*ReYds=Receiving Yards

*TDs=Touchdowns

Compiled from The Wilbert Montgomery File at Abilene Christian University.

Appendix III

Wilbert Montgomery's Collegiate Statistics

1975: 631 (Junior Season)

*TC=Total Carries

*RuYds=Rushing Yards

*PC=Pass Catches

*ReYds=Receiving Yards

*TDs=Touchdowns

Compiled from The Wilbert Montgomery File at Abilene Christian University.

Appendix IV

Wilbert Montgomery's Collegiate Statistics

1976: 92 (Senior Season)

*TC=Total Carries

*RuYds=Rushing Yards

*PC=Pass Catches

*ReYds=Receiving Yards

*TDs=Touchdowns

*HC=Homecoming

Compiled from The Wilbert Montgomery File at Abilene Christian University.

Appendix V

Wilbert Montgomery's NFL Statistics

*TC=Total Carries

*RuYds=Rushing Yards

*PC=Pass Catches

*ReYds=Receiving Yards

*TDs=Touchdowns

Adapted from Sean Lahman, The Pro Football Historical Abstract, 419.

Bibliography

Special Collections

The Wilbert Montgomery File (Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX).

Newspapers

Abilene Reporter News

Clarion-Ledger (Jackson, MS)

Christian Echo (Los Angeles)

Dallas Morning News

Dallas Times Herald

Delta Democrat-Times (Greenville, MS)

Detroit Free Press

New York Times

Philadelphia Daily News

Philadelphia Inquirer

The NAIA News (Kansas City, MO)

The Optimist (Abilene, TX)

Washington Post

Magazines

Pro Football Weekly

The Sporting News

Sports Illustrated

SportsWeek

Texas Football Newsmagazine

Wildcat Football

Books and Articles

Ashe, Arthur R., Jr. A Hard Road to Glory: A History of the African-American Athlete Since 1946. New York: Warner Books, 1988.

Ashe, Arthur, and Arnold Rampersad. Days of Grace: A Memoir. New York: Alfred Knopf, 1993.

Barkley, Charles, and Michael Wilbon. I May Be Wrong, But I Doubt It. New York: Random House, 2002.

Barr, Alwyn. Black Texans: A History of African Americans in Texas, 15281995. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1996.

Barra, Allen. The Last Coach: A Life of Paul Bear Bryant. New York: W. W. Norton, 2005.

Bissinger, H. G. Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream. Cambridge, MA: Da Capo Press, 2000.

Blair, Sam. Earl Campbell: The Driving Force. Waco, TX: Word Books, 1980.

Blockson, Charles L. Philadelphia, 16392000. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2000.

Blount, Mel, and Cynthia Sterling. The Cross Burns Brightly: A Hall-of-Famer Tackles Racism and Adversity to Help Troubled Boys. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1993.

Branch, Taylor. Parting the Waters: American in the King Years, 19541963.