Black Like Him...

When I was in high school, I had a great opportunity to read Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin. In the book published in 1961, Griffin embarked on a journey unlike any other. In order to comprehend the lives of black people, he had darkened his skin to?become?black. As the civil rights movement tested various forms of civil disobedience, Griffin began a human odyssey through the South, journeying from New Orleans to Atlanta.

Back then, I did not like to read. However, I read every page of this book and achieved a 100 on the test. I highly recommend this book to anyone willing to open their eyes. I love PEOPLE and if we want to go ALL IN, we need to learn from the past to prepare a better future.

I want to take you down my memory lane and tell you about two legendary Black men. It is men like this that I want to be like. I want to be BLACK LIKE HIM.

Maurice Fitzgerald came into my life when I was 12 years old. He was a high school football star at Hume-Fogg and Tennessee State. After the NFL, he held head coaching stints included Pearl-Cohn (1990-2005), Stratford (2015-16) and Hillsboro (2017-20). His record was 150-101 at those three schools.

Fitzgerald led Pearl-Cohn to Class 4A state championships in 1996 and 1997 and Hillsboro reached the playoffs each year under Fitzgerald including the Class 5A quarterfinals in 2018.

But to me, he was the gatekeeper for what I wanted...a chance. When my Junior Pro basketball team would run up against his Bears, we knew we were in for a battle. After every grueling matchup, Coach Fitz would always be there to encourage me and give me a hug. He did not see color. He saw me. He loved me. His personality was magnetic and you just had to be around him. When he asked me to join their team in all star competition, I was stoked. I also joined his team in summer basketball programs. He invited me into his house, and I considered him family all through high school.

Coach Fitz has sent several players on to college and the pros. His high school football coaching record is second to none. Just look him up. The players he has sent through in basketball is a list of Who's Who in the city of Nashville. Coach Fitz is a man of high moral character, a man of passion, and a man... legendary to the city of Nashville. I want to be Black Like Him.

Ed Martin is the only person that I have met that has been inducted into 4 Halls of Fame. Martin was born in Allentown, Pa. He earned his bachelor’s degree from North Carolina A&T University and a master’s degree from Temple University. In 1951 Martin joined the Philadelphia Stars, a team in the Negro American Baseball League. He played against Hank Aaron and many other future Major League stars, but a shoulder injury ended his promising baseball career. Martin was honored as the winningest coach in basketball at South Carolina State as well as at Tennessee State University, where he coached from 1968 to 1985.

But to me, he was a friend, my advisor, and a member of my extended family. When I was asked to be a pallbearer at his funeral, I was amazed at how many people Ed Martin connected. As a player, he will tell you that he was unstoppable on the court and hell on the mound. But he has a heart of gold and such a gentle spirit.

Coach Ed remains in my memory with his laughter and story telling ability. He was very proud of his African American roots. Having served on many committees to further the development of the African American community. He was a member of 100 Black Men of Middle Tennessee and the Boys and Girls Club. I want to be Black Like Him.

If I was John Howard Griffin and had a chance to walk a mile in the shoes of a Black man, I would choose either Maurice Fitzgerald and Ed Martin. Through trials and tribulations, their character surpassed all evil in this world. These are two incredible and legendary Black men.