|
Peppy’s book titled “Mamas, don’t let your babies grow to play Football” is a fascinating read- profound and insightful- capturing Longhorn football’s greatness after WWII from 1945-1951. Bobby Layne, Dick Harris, Hub Bechtol, D.X. Bible, Blair Cherry, Dick Harris, Tom Landry, Rooster Andrews, Ed Kelley, and many others rebuilt Longhorn football from the malaise of poor football in the 1930s.
After his years as a Longhorn, Blount made a living playing NFL football, officiating college and professional football games, practicing law, sitting on the bench, ranching, writing, and drilling for oil.
But it was as a Longhorn while on scholarship that Blount made Longhorn sports history. In 1946 Blount, as a starter for the Longhorns, was also a “principal” speaker on the high school speaking circuit. The SWC rule book said that only coaches can be a principal speaker in these events, so Coach Bible made Blount a member of the coaching staff even though Blount was a scholarship player.
In 1947 Blount won a seat in the Texas House of Representatives. SWC committee members received complaints about Blount and reviewed his eligibility status. The Texas Attorney General determined receiving income from the House of Representatives and financial support as a scholarship athlete was illegal, and Blount officially lost his scholarship.
BUT Coach Bible allowed Peppy Blount to continue to live in the athletic dorm and maintained his dining room privileges at no charge. The G.I. bill paid for Blount’s tuition and books. Blount finished his college career with no scholarship, but most of the benefits.
Here ends the newsletter portion of the life of Peppy Blount, but there is more. If interested in knowing more about his fascinating life journey, visit:
https://texas-lsn.squarespace.com/tring-reflections-1950s
|
