Bonus Blog- A Little Known Great

   Not all famous athletes are 6"5" or weigh 300+ pounds. A few of them have achieved greatness despite lack of great statue or tipping the scales at a weight that many of us would put ourselves on a starvation diet before even approaching. Not all small athletes are gymnasts or race horse jockeys. I could easily put together a respectable list of many athletics who come in at or near my own height of 5' 6 1/2.

   One of these athletes played football back in the 1940s and 1950s. His name was Claude "Buddy" Young. He was known as the "Bronze Bullet". Young was born on January 5, 1926 in Chicago. He had an impressive record in high school in track and in football despite the fact that he was only 5' 4". He had several scholarship offers from top division I schools. He choose to attend the University of Illinois. It was there that he broke many school records set by the great Harold "Red" Grange. His first play in his freshman year he ran for a 64 yard touchdown. After a short stint in the Navy at the end of World War II, he returned to Illinois to complete his education.
  
   In 1947 he signed with the New York Yankees of the All-American Football Conference. The Yanks moved to the NFL before folding. Young moved on to the Dallas Texans and then to the Baltimore Colts. He had a distingushed nine year career before retiring after the 1955 season. While a Baltimore he relucately raced a real colt in a 100 yard race, he won.

  In 1966 he became the first Black executive to be hired by the NFL. His position was administrative assistant to the commissioner. In 1983, he was Director of Player Relations, he was killed in a traffic accident outside of Dallas, Texas. He was preceded in death by his oldest son. By 1999 all 4 of his children had passed way.
  
    His widow Geraldine was the subject of an October 2006 article in the Baltimore Sun Newspaper. The article describes her as a wonderful woman, who despite all the tragedy in her life continues to help others in the local Baltimore community through the Gerladine Young Family Life Center. The center is located next to the Druid Hill YMCA. She has been honored in many ways. even at her 80th birthday party, she still managed to raise $8700 to cover a budget shortfall at the center and the YMCA. 

   Buddy may have been a top notched community fundraiser and advocate in his time but, Geraldine is just as good, probably better then he ever was. The Youngs are the type of people that we need more of not only in the Sports world but, all thoughout the community. I myself was unaware of who these truly great people were until I received a suggestion from the Bronx Rebels for this awesome suggestion. Thanks Rebels!!