Calvin Hill our first 1000 yard rusher

[RonnieT24]

A few things my friend, by 1964 Bob Hayes was a serious track guy and had been for a few years becoming the first 9.1 guy. He wasn't just a football guy anymore. And Eddie Tolan, Jesse Owens, Harrison Dilliard all black sprinters had won the Olympic gold before 1964. Doubt race was a factor at all especially in Japan.

I know of no sub 10.00 100m races for Hayes other than that windy 9.91 in those Olympic semi's. I do for know a fact he did run a couple WR 9.1's and not get credit for it, actually becoming a 9,3. Hayes only ran 100meters a few times here in the USA.

While in HS he lost the Florida State 100 yards champs to a kid named Jimmy "Peach Head" Douglas, yep, a red headed black guy. Douglas the only cat Hayes never revenged the loss. ya see before they ever hooked up again, Douglas was shot and killed in a gang related incident.

Jimmy Douglas, what could have been.

Growing up in Florida I got to read a TON of stuff on Bob and I distinctly recall that he continued to run unattached in meets during football's offseason and he did record some sub 10 second times in those. But I believe those took place in the short lived "professional track and field" circuit which as you know rendered anything they did "unofficial." I was just a kid back then so I didn't have to wherewithal to save those local papers and those newscasts will never be found. Hell maybe the times were hand timed.. I don't know.. but I recall reading the morning paper on more than one occasion and seeing 9.XX next to Bob Hayes' name.

 

[RonnieT24]

What was your PR?

In the LJ? 21'11"
In the 100 we've already discussed.. 10.58
In the 200 22.05 ironically achieved on that damn cinder track at the Yale Bowl. Still can't figure that one out..

 

[Cowpolk]

In the LJ? 21'11"
In the 100 we've already discussed.. 10.58
In the 200 22.05 ironically achieved on that damn cinder track at the Yale Bowl. Still can't figure that one out..

100 9.8
220 22.15
LG 11.5 I COULD NOT JUMP

 

[cowboyec]

helluva player.
even better person.
from don perkins to calvin hill to duane thomas to tony d....the real 4 horsemen.
thats a helluva history.
and it didnt stop there.
herschel...emmitt...marion the barbarian...demarco...zeke.
OUR HISTORY

 

[cowboyec]

we had some good'ns...
don perkins
dan reeves
calvin hill
duane thomas
preston pearson
tony dorsett
herschel walker
emmitt smith
marion barber
demarcco murray
zeke
tony p

 

[cowboyec]

and the full-backs...
walt garrison
robert newhouse
ron springs
timmy newsome
darryl johnston
richie anderson

 

[RaZon]

Growing up in Florida I got to read a TON of stuff on Bob and I distinctly recall that he continued to run unattached in meets during football's offseason and he did record some sub 10 second times in those. But I believe those took place in the short lived "professional track and field" circuit which as you know rendered anything they did "unofficial." I was just a kid back then so I didn't have to wherewithal to save those local papers and those newscasts will never be found. Hell maybe the times were hand timed.. I don't know.. but I recall reading the morning paper on more than one occasion and seeing 9.XX next to Bob Hayes' name.

Hayes left high school with no intentions of running track any longer, he was just going to play football at Florida A&M. He was a running back. Well the track coach Jake Gaiters saw him play football and knew he needed this cat on his track team so after a few.....not interested by Hayes.... he finally talked him into it. As they say.....the rest is history.

Hayes was now a member of a track team, which he was his entire college track career, there was never a time he had the time to be running unattached in all comer meets. His school always had a track meet that week end. You did see 9 stuff but it was 9.5, 9.4, 100 yard stuff not meters. We didn't run meters except at national meets.

Those who beat Bullet Bob

Darel Newman in a 60, only white guy to beat him
Alfred Austin/Jimmy Douglas in high school
Roger Sayers yep, his older bro a world class sprinter at 100yards
Harry Jerome a Canadian in a photo finish also 100 yards
Homer Jones an NAIA 200m
Paul Drayton and Henry Carr at 200m

Hayes holding world records....5.9 60 , 9.3.9.2, 9.1 100 yards, 10.06 100m, 20.5 200m. 4x1 relay

That pro track thing came later

 

[mrmojo]

Surprised my first favorite Cowboy Don Perkins never had a 1000 yard season despite rushing for over 6000 yards.

Less games in a season when he played maybe? Loved Don, he went to my alma mater.

 

[RaZon]

Less games in a season when he played maybe? Loved Don, he went to my alma mater.

Others had 1000 yard seasons, so....hmmmm? So you went to New Mexico.

 

[RaZon]

Strangest RB was actually a blocking back for Mercury Morris at West Texas State, a school that gave the pro rasslin' world a dozen pro rasslers,

Duane Thomas

 

[mrmojo]

Others had 1000 yard seasons, so....hmmmm? So you went to New Mexico.

Yes, known more for our basketball than football...Don, Robin Cole of Steelers, Preston Dennard of Rams and Terrance Mathis of Falcons, and Brian Urlacher....are our notables.....Andy Frederick had a cup of coffee with the Cowboys.

 

[RaZon]

Yes, known more for our basketball than football...Don, Robin Cole of Steelers, Preston Dennard of Rams and Terrance Mathis of Falcons, and Brian Urlacher....are our notables.....Andy Frederick had a cup of coffee with the Cowboys.

New Mexico had a few great track seasons...

Adolph Plummer
Clarence Robinson
Steve Camidni
Rene Matison
Kenny Head
Art Carter
Bernie Rivers

,,,,familiar?

 

[mrmojo]

New Mexico had a few great track seasons...

Adolph Plummer
Clarence Robinson
Steve Camidni
Rene Matison
Kenny Head
Art Carter
Bernie Rivers

,,,,familiar?

Adolph Plummer yes, although a little before my time. John Baker was a famous miler for the Lobos, he died of cancer at 26, there was a movie made about him.

 

[RonnieT24]

Hayes left high school with no intentions of running track any longer, he was just going to play football at Florida A&M. He was a running back. Well the track coach Jake Gaiters saw him play football and knew he needed this cat on his track team so after a few.....not interested by Hayes.... he finally talked him into it. As they say.....the rest is history.

Hayes was now a member of a track team, which he was his entire college track career, there was never a time he had the time to be running unattached in all comer meets. His school always had a track meet that week end. You did see 9 stuff but it was 9.5, 9.4, 100 yard stuff not meters. We didn't run meters except at national meets.

Those who beat Bullet Bob

Darel Newman in a 60, only white guy to beat him
Alfred Austin/Jimmy Douglas in high school
Roger Sayers yep, his older bro a world class sprinter at 100yards
Harry Jerome a Canadian in a photo finish also 100 yards
Homer Jones an NAIA 200m
Paul Drayton and Henry Carr at 200m

Hayes holding world records....5.9 60 , 9.3.9.2, 9.1 100 yards, 10.06 100m, 20.5 200m. 4x1 relay

That pro track thing came later

Your memory is a little messed up there.. Jake Gaither was the football coach at FAMU not the track coach. Gaither didn't want Hayes to run track and only permitted him to run in the '64 Olympics because LBJ himself called to "ask" him to allow it! Those Olympics took place smack dab in the middle of football season (October) as you may recall and Gaither knew he needed Hayes to get where he wanted to go on the gridiron. So he basically had to allow Hayes to miss games and practice to participate in the Olympics after already missing spring ball to run track and train for the US Trials. And with regard to my reading Hayes' 100 times .. not likely.. I was only 4 years old in 1964 and the only thing I was reading was .. well nothing.. The box scores and meet results I remember reading were from the late 60's to early 70's. Like I said, that whole pro track and field circuit was treated like a ******* child as I recall and none of their events were ever treated as "official" though some of them did show up on Wide World of Sports or similar programs. But the IOC and USOC turned its back on anybody who competed in them.

 

[RS12]

Strangest RB was actually a blocking back for Mercury Morris at West Texas State, a school that gave the pro rasslin' world a dozen pro rasslers,

Duane Thomas
What could have been.

 

[America's Cowboy]

I would take Calvin Hill over Zeke any day!

6'4", super fast, quick, strong and super athletic...

Calvin Hill was a BEAST!!!

Makes Zeke and most of today's RBs look like chumps.

 

[RS12]

Calvin Hill was a good receiver as well. I seem to remember him having his share of foot problems. Sadly. nowadays probably best known as Grant Hill father.

 

[RaZon]

Your memory is a little messed up there.. Jake Gaither was the football coach at FAMU not the track coach. Gaither didn't want Hayes to run track and only permitted him to run in the '64 Olympics because LBJ himself called to "ask" him to allow it! Those Olympics took place smack dab in the middle of football season (October) as you may recall and Gaither knew he needed Hayes to get where he wanted to go on the gridiron. So he basically had to allow Hayes to miss games and practice to participate in the Olympics after already missing spring ball to run track and train for the US Trials. And with regard to my reading Hayes' 100 times .. not likely.. I was only 4 years old in 1964 and the only thing I was reading was .. well nothing.. The box scores and meet results I remember reading were from the late 60's to early 70's. Like I said, that whole pro track and field circuit was treated like a ******* child as I recall and none of their events were ever treated as "official" though some of them did show up on Wide World of Sports or similar programs. But the IOC and USOC turned its back on anybody who competed in them.

DUH~~~~.....Pete Griffin the track coach, yep Gaiters his football coach, been a long time since I read RUN BULLET RUN...his book.

Hayes was only 22 in 1964 so all we were seeing is a college kid. If he could have stayed in the sport until 1968 (no way no $$$$$$) there is little doubt at 26ish he is beating Jim Hines in about 9.85ish, Hines ran 9.95.

 

[RaZon]

I would take Calvin Hill over Zeke any day!

6'4", super fast, quick, strong and super athletic...

Calvin Hill was a BEAST!!!

Makes Zeke and most of today's RBs look like chumps.

Calvin Hill over Zeke, hmmmmmm? Have to get that some thought.

 

[RaZon]

Adolph Plummer yes, although a little before my time. John Baker was a famous miler for the Lobos, he died of cancer at 26, there was a movie made about him.

Yeah I saw the movie, Adolph Plummer is in it or the guy playing him.

That period the very best for NM track. Baker a stud!