Farr from the Golden Triangle: Mel Farr's Golden Accolades

Mel Farr, Sr. is a man who transitioned from a career in NFL football to a golden career in business. Born in 1944, he grew up in an area titled "The Football Capital of the World." Farr played for the Detroit Lions from 1967 to 1973.

There is a history in a region of Texas, about 90 miles from a major city, Houston, Texas. 

The Golden Triangle is a place where football players are developed at an above average rate and do well in the NFL.

For example, in 1971 the then Mayor of Beaumont, Texas cited the accomplishments of sixteen men in NFL football. Of those sixteen men, Mel Farr and his brother, Miller Farr, are included.

Mel Farr reportedly sang background to Marvin Gaye's song, "What's Going On?" Also in the background was Lem Barney.

Farr's life helped answer the question in Gaye's song. Farr went from professional football to an outstanding career in car dealerships. In 1998, his enterprise was ranked among the top 33 largest dealerships in the United States.

His company, at that time, grossed $596.6 million. No wonder so many people repeat Mel Farr's name in the Beaumon area as though he is the golden boy from Hebert High School in Beaumont, Texas. 

Farr graduated Hebert High School in 1963. He attended the prestigious UCLA.  One source says he is married to Linda Johnson Rice, who is the adopted daughter of the founder of Johnson Publishing Company.

Mel Farr's son was also a professional football player. The apple does not fall far from the Farr's tree since Mel Farr, III has been cited as a football star, too.

In 1971, the then Mayor Ken Ritter honored Mel Farr, Miller Farr, Anthony Guillory, Warren Wells and 12 other professional football players.

Ritter also declared the Beaumont-Port Arthur area as the Professional Football Capital of the World.

Although Farr had a humble start in the Golden Triangle, his career was launched by an outstanding career in the NFL, and he had golden years even after a career in professional football.

Sometimes people ask the question: Is there life after football?

Farr would answer yes.

Farr may have started in the Golden Triangle, but he has certainly experienced some golden years after an outstanding career on the gridiron.