Historical Marker Requested For 16 NFL Players From Golden Triangle

A Memorial Day Tribute - We Remember All who have contributed to America

Some regions in the United States are known for producing outstanding athletes. The Beaumont-Port Arthur area in Texas has been recognized since 1971 as the Football Capital of the World. 

The Honorable Mayor, Ken Ritter, declared that honor on the area. One of the players who grew up in the Golden Triangle is Warren Wells, the legendary wide receiver for the Oakland Raiders.

Wells lives a quiet life in the Golden Triangle. He is 67-year-old, a father and a grandfather, and he served in the U. S. Army, receiving an honorable discharge.  

For two consecutive years in the NFL he was recognized as an outstanding wide receiver with the Oakland Raiders.

Wells is a member of a very small group of NFL players who had their professional football career interrupted by the mandatory draft in the United States in the 60s.

His experiences in the military are positioned near the experiences of James Kalsu, Donald Steinbrunner, Patrick Tillman (2002) and others who served in the military.

In a few days, we will be celebrating Memorial Day to honor those who have died for freedom, justice and liberty in America.

It is a day to also honor the friends, families and associates who shared precious moments with those who served in the military.

We can not honor a few men, for many men's lives were impacted by the death, injury and survival of those who have served in the military. We honor all of them, and we honor the men who are in the Middle East at this time in history.

We, therefore, honor these military men and their families by seeking ways to encourage their widows, children and extended families. We seek to encourage their children and grandchildren.

The emotional, psychologically and physical comfort that we experience everyday is intimately connected to the service they have rendered in World War I, World War II, the Vietnam and Korean Wars, and the conflicts in the Middle East as well as in other international emergencies.

A Short Profile on one of the 16 NFL players from the Golden Triangle  

Wells lived on the second floor of Jones Hall on Texas Southern’s campus during his college days in Houston, Texas.

His college roommates were Carl Zenn, Russell Wells (his brother), Roland Francis, Herman Compton, and Evander Cade.

All of them graduated from Hebert High School in Beaumont, Texas in 1960.

Warren was skipped in school, and he ended up in the same class with his older brother Russell who is also a veteran.

Both of them are pictured on the same page in the 1958 yearbook of Hebert High School, a copy of which is deposited in the historic Terrell Library on Pearl Street in Beaumont, Texas.

One of the mayors of Beaumont declared the Golden Triangle as the Professional Football Capital of the World.

The 1971 Proclamation by Mayor Ken Ritter

Mayor Ken Ritter’s proclamation states, in summary, that the 16 men listed in the group of honorees at the time of the event:

1. Constituted twice the amount of any other city in the United States;

2. Have helped to make football near and dear to the hearts of millions of sports fans across this nation;

3. Have caused nationwide credit to be bestowed on their hometown;

4. Have given tremendous inspiration and hope to others;

5. And the 16 players have been recognized as a truly remarkable asset, one of which all its citizens can speak with glowing pride.

The 16 Men Who Were Honored on Sunday, the 16th day of May 1971 Were

Bubba Smith *

Jerry LeVias *

Warren Wells*

Mel Farr*

Miller Farr*

Johnny Fuller*

Gus Holloman *

Anthony Guillory *

Tody Smith *

Jesse Phillips*

Wayne Moore*

Dwight Harrison*

Charles Ford*

Bob Pollard

Billy Wright*

Wayne McDerman

More research will be done to identify others who have served in the military, played in the NFL, and lived in the Golden Triangle.

Sometimes it takes hindsight to recognize the power of God, the one who has foreknowledge of the paths we all travel.

The historical novel that will be written will be fashioned around the lives of the 16 players who were honored by Mayor Ken Ritter in 1971.

It is under the inspiration and hope that Wells imparted into the life of this writer and to her consultants that has given them the creative, passionate desire to tell these 16 testimonies.

Wells was instrumental in helping the brother of this writer and that act of compassion and concern will be forever appreciated.

His compassion and concern is exemplary of what many other NFL players have done for friends, families, and communities in the United States.

It is hoped that others will be inspired to tell the story of many who have contributed to putting the Golden Triangle in a prestigious position in the NFL.

What these 16 professional football players contributed to the people of the Golden Triangle will be highly esteemed and remembered for generations to come.

A letter requesting the establishment of a historical marker has been sent to U. S. Congressman Ted Poe. It is posted in this article.

The purpose of the historical marker will be to educate the public and to enhance an understanding of the era in which these men made contributions to America, and to the recognition of the Golden Triangle.

It is also a way to say thank you to the families of these outstanding athletes, and to recognize in a permanent manner their contributions to society.

It is a way to say thank you to those who have uplifted the American spirit during times of war and peace. We, therefore, recognize the importance of NFL football as a source of inspiration for many Americans, both young and old.

Addenda:  Letter to U. S. Congressman Ted Poe

Re: Historical Marker to Honor Sixteen NFL Players, et al

I humbly request your assistance to obtain a historical marker for 2728 Goliad Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701. 

The property is being restored in honor of a man who was honored by Mayor Ken Ritter in 1971,

This site is designated as the location for a historical marker and it will mention and honor the sixteen NFL players honored by Mayor Ken Ritter.

The completion of this project will help to enhance the record of the contributions made by these 16 men.

Thanks. An introductory article is attached:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/395671-the-golden-triangle-in-texas-fooball-capital-of-the-world-since-1971 

Respectfully