World News – USA – Longhorns unveil statue of the first black letterman

Texas unveiled a new 12½-foot statue of trailblazer Julius Whittier, the Longhorns’ first black letterman, just outside the north end of Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Friday.

Whittier, who died in September 2018, came to Texas as one of the school’s first black scholars, playing on the 1970 team that won a national championship. He played offensive line and tight end on three teams that won the Southwest Conference and was on the freshman team when Texas won the national title in 1969.

After Whittier’s degree in philosophy, President Lyndon B. . Johnson encouraged him to continue his studies at the LBJ School of Public Affairs in Texas. Whittier received his law degrees from Austin and worked for most of his life as the senior prosecutor in the Dallas District Attorney’s Office before retiring in 2012.

The Whittier tribute was one of the changes Texan athletes pushed for in June when a social justice movement was held following the death of George Floyd. According to Texas, the school started work on the statue this summer.

« That should have happened a long time ago, » said the legendary Texas, who ran back to Earl Campbell. “It’s not everyone’s fault, and I think many would agree that there were many ways to put a statue up for my husband. Being the first to do something isn’t easy, but being the first black player in college is something I’ve been thinking about over the years. I can’t imagine what he had to endure. It shows the children that you can climb to the top of the mountain if you want something bad and care about change and sacrifice. « 

Junior defensive back and team captain Caden Sterns, who was one of the team’s most outspoken players this summer, spoke of his appreciation for the school’s rapid development.

« Honestly, the statue means a lot because he was the first to do this and the first to be a letterman on our football program, » Sterns said. « To be honored for this is a real blessing, not only for him, but also for us and other African-Americans who come to university. During that time, it wasn’t the best time in history. To see him honored first is a big step in the right direction and a great achievement. Every time I see this statue I will think about everything he did and what he means to all of us. « 

This week Campbell told the Houston Chronicle that after hearing the school wanted to honor Whittier, he insisted that the school make Whittier’s statue taller than his 9-foot statue on campus, which is his Heism Victory honors.

« Without Julius, there would be no Donnie Little, who was the first black quarterback in Texas, » Campbell told The Chronicle. « Without Roosevelt Leaks and Raymond Clayborn, there would be no Earl Campbell, and without me there would be no Ricky Williams. « 

« Julius paved the way that gave us the opportunity, » said Leaks, who in 1971 became the first black Texas soccer player to receive All-American and All-Conference honors. « I am proud that UT decided to commission the statue of Julius, who first showed us the way. The statue will give future students an understanding of what we were involved in and what statement was made. « 

Texas Longhorns, University of Texas at Austin, American Football