On Saturday October 12, the game OU vs Texas brought a crowd of fans and a football hero to Tishomingo.
National Championship quarter back Jamelle Holiway showed up and made a pointtomeeteveryfan.Going from table to table, he pulled up a seat to spend precious moments talking, shaking hands, signing autographs and taking photos completely unrushedwithhisfans.Their happiness showing as laughter was heard and cheering for the game was underway.
Holiway led his team at OU to National Championship in 1985 as the first and only freshman to reach that historical feat. He said that even though reaching that goal makes him proud, the one goal that seems to elude him is bring in the football hall of fame.
Holiway, originally from Las Angeles, Calif., has called McAlester home for 30 years. After his retirement in the 1990’s, he has spent his time mentoring kids of his neighborhood and raising his own 12 children, helping them find their way around a football field and through life. Hisadviceisto“workhard,be patient, do the extra and that only you can stop yourself.”
He said that if he wouldn’t have had a career in football, he would have probably become a probation or parole officer.
Holiwaysaidhemissesthe camaraderie that came with his career. Now, he said he finds that fulfillment with his involvement in upholding those memorable traditions with current OU players and fans alike.