Phantom Stang
08-26-2006, 02:43 PM
Baugh's number to be retired during Classic
No. 21.
Barry Sanders wore that number at Oklahoma State when he set 34 NCAA records and won the 1988 Heisman Trophy.
Desmond Howard wore the same two digits on his Michigan uniform when he was tabbed for the 1991 Heisman Trophy.
“Neon” Deion Sanders, who received the 1988 Jim Thorpe Award while at Florida State, was the ultimate No. 21 during a thrilling NFL career.
But when the Sweetwater Mustangs were one of the elites among all Texas high school teams in the early 1930s, all eyes were on the red jersey with the deuce and one - Sammy Baugh.
Baugh was No. 21 on the Newman Park gridiron during his junior and senior seasons, but he remains No. 1 in the hearts of Sweetwater fans. Although his uniform number changed while leading then-tiny Texas Christian University to a national championship as a two-time all-American nicknamed “Slingin' Sammy” and then forever changing the NFL as a record-setting hall of famer, Baugh has attained legend status as Sweetwater's favorite son.
Retiring a jersey number is perhaps the highest honor a team can bestow on its greatest players, but the hallowed Sweetwater football program has never paid such a tribute to any of its athletes.
That will change during the pre-game ceremonies Sept. 8 when Sweetwater hosts Brown-wood in the marquee game of the three-day TSTC West Texas Sammy Baugh Classic.
The retirement of Baugh's high school number will join previous retirement of his No. 45 TCU jersey (one of only two for the Horned Frogs) and of his No. 33 Washington Redskins number (the only jersey the NFL club has ever retired).
The Sweetwater honor comes 74 years after Baugh perplexed Texas prep defenses as an offensive double threat, shedding would-be tacklers as an elusive runner and blistering secondaries as a pinpoint passer.
Now 92, Baugh lives in nearby Rotan. He and his family will be on hand for the special ceremony at midfield of the Mustang Bowl - the historic venue built just six years after Baugh finished his high school career and upon the foundation of athletic excellence established by Baugh.
Kiki Johnson, a senior wide receiver on Sweetwater's 2005 state semifinalist squad, was the last Mustang to wear No. 21, and is also scheduled to be on hand for the observance which will take the jersey from the football field to the trophy case.
The retirement of Baugh's high school number represents the crowning achievement of a football resume which includes a collegiate national championship, two NFL titles, two all-American seasons, a fourth-place finish in the 1936 Heisman Trophy balloting, seven Pro Bowl seasons, an MVP in the first Cotton Bowl and induction into three halls of fame - college, pro and Cotton Bowl.
The only void on his career ledger is a high school state championship, which his 1932 team missed by two games.
The TSTC West Texas Sammy Baugh Classic is set for Sept. 7-9 with 10 teams scheduled to participate.
Colorado City and San Angelo Grape Creek kick off the festival at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 7, then Sweetwater hosts Brownwood in the 7:30 p.m. game Sept. 8.
Three games are slated for Sept. 9.
A rematch of the 2005 Youth Football League Super Bowl pits the Sweetwater Mustangs against the Abilene Raiders for a 9 a.m. game.
Jim Ned and Breckenridge square off at 2 p.m., and Roscoe meets Coahoma in the 7:30 p.m. finale.
Copyright © 2006 Sweetwater Reporter
No. 21.
Barry Sanders wore that number at Oklahoma State when he set 34 NCAA records and won the 1988 Heisman Trophy.
Desmond Howard wore the same two digits on his Michigan uniform when he was tabbed for the 1991 Heisman Trophy.
“Neon” Deion Sanders, who received the 1988 Jim Thorpe Award while at Florida State, was the ultimate No. 21 during a thrilling NFL career.
But when the Sweetwater Mustangs were one of the elites among all Texas high school teams in the early 1930s, all eyes were on the red jersey with the deuce and one - Sammy Baugh.
Baugh was No. 21 on the Newman Park gridiron during his junior and senior seasons, but he remains No. 1 in the hearts of Sweetwater fans. Although his uniform number changed while leading then-tiny Texas Christian University to a national championship as a two-time all-American nicknamed “Slingin' Sammy” and then forever changing the NFL as a record-setting hall of famer, Baugh has attained legend status as Sweetwater's favorite son.
Retiring a jersey number is perhaps the highest honor a team can bestow on its greatest players, but the hallowed Sweetwater football program has never paid such a tribute to any of its athletes.
That will change during the pre-game ceremonies Sept. 8 when Sweetwater hosts Brown-wood in the marquee game of the three-day TSTC West Texas Sammy Baugh Classic.
The retirement of Baugh's high school number will join previous retirement of his No. 45 TCU jersey (one of only two for the Horned Frogs) and of his No. 33 Washington Redskins number (the only jersey the NFL club has ever retired).
The Sweetwater honor comes 74 years after Baugh perplexed Texas prep defenses as an offensive double threat, shedding would-be tacklers as an elusive runner and blistering secondaries as a pinpoint passer.
Now 92, Baugh lives in nearby Rotan. He and his family will be on hand for the special ceremony at midfield of the Mustang Bowl - the historic venue built just six years after Baugh finished his high school career and upon the foundation of athletic excellence established by Baugh.
Kiki Johnson, a senior wide receiver on Sweetwater's 2005 state semifinalist squad, was the last Mustang to wear No. 21, and is also scheduled to be on hand for the observance which will take the jersey from the football field to the trophy case.
The retirement of Baugh's high school number represents the crowning achievement of a football resume which includes a collegiate national championship, two NFL titles, two all-American seasons, a fourth-place finish in the 1936 Heisman Trophy balloting, seven Pro Bowl seasons, an MVP in the first Cotton Bowl and induction into three halls of fame - college, pro and Cotton Bowl.
The only void on his career ledger is a high school state championship, which his 1932 team missed by two games.
The TSTC West Texas Sammy Baugh Classic is set for Sept. 7-9 with 10 teams scheduled to participate.
Colorado City and San Angelo Grape Creek kick off the festival at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 7, then Sweetwater hosts Brownwood in the 7:30 p.m. game Sept. 8.
Three games are slated for Sept. 9.
A rematch of the 2005 Youth Football League Super Bowl pits the Sweetwater Mustangs against the Abilene Raiders for a 9 a.m. game.
Jim Ned and Breckenridge square off at 2 p.m., and Roscoe meets Coahoma in the 7:30 p.m. finale.
Copyright © 2006 Sweetwater Reporter