Robert BrazileFootballFelicitously nicknamed “Dr. Doom”, Robert Brazile had a destructive presence on the Houston Oilers’ defense. An All-American from Jackson State University, Brazile was drafted sixth overall by the Oilers in 1974. The Alabama native quickly ascended to the apex of defensive football during his rookie year, earning AFC Rookie of the Year and AP Defensive Rookie of the Year honors, recording five fumble recoveries and an estimated seven sacks. Over the next eight seasons, Brazile was a two-time All-Pro, seven-time Pro Bowler and a member of the 1970’s All-Decade Team. He led the Oilers to three consecutive ten-win seasons, two AFC Championship appearances in ’78 and ’79, and three consecutive playoff appearances. Throughout his nine-year run with the Oilers, Brazile amassed a total of 1,281 tackles, 13 interceptions, 14 fumble recoveries, 48 sacks, and started every single game for the Oilers. The Hall of Fame linebacker retired in 1984 and joined the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the franchise’s Ring of Honor in 2018.
Photo Courtesy: Tennessee Titans
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Jose CruzBaseballA two-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger winner, Jose "Cheo" Cruz played 19 seasons in the Major Leagues, including 13 seasons with the Houston Astros (1975- 1987). In 1980, Cruz finished third in the National League MVP voting after leading Houston to its first-ever division title and postseason appearance. In 1983 he led the National League in hits and also exceeded the 30 stolen base mark five times. During his time with the Astros, Cruz played in 1,870 games, batting .292 with 335 doubles, a franchise-record 80 triples, 138 home runs, 942 RBI and 288 stolen bases. Cruz, who is currently a community outreach executive for the Astros, has held a strong presence within the organization since his playing days, as he spent 13 seasons as the Astros Major League first base coach and over a decade in the front office. The franchise retired his No. 25 jersey in 1992 and was part of the inaugural class for the Astros Hall of Fame in 2019.
Photo Courtesy: Houston Astros
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Scott DrewCoachCoach Drew, who took over as head coach of Baylor Men’s Basketball in 2003, led a program that was in turmoil to the pinnacle of college athletics in what is now one of the greatest turnarounds in sports history. Drew guided the Bears to 10 NCAA Tournament appearances, five NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen appearances and two Big 12 Regular Season Championships (2021 & ‘22). He also earned numerous accolades, including being named Big 12 Coach of the Year in 2020 and 2021. However, Drew’s biggest accomplishment came in 2021, when he brought home the program’s first NCAA men’s basketball title, becoming only the second coach in history to win a title at a Texas school. Now entering his 20th season with the Bears, Drew is tied as the Big 12's longest-tenured head coach with a school record of 397 victories.
Photo Courtesy: Baylor Men's Basketball
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Carlette GuidryTrack & FieldCarlette Guidry-White, a Houston native, attended the University of Texas from 1988-1991. She accomplished many accolades that to this day would be difficult to rival. During her time at UT, she became a 23-time All American, 12-time NCAA National Champion, 17-time SWC Champion and established four school records: 55m - 6.66 (1990); 60m - 7.14 (1991); 100m - 10.94 (1991); Sprint Medley Relay - 3:41.96 (1988). Her accomplishments landed her a spot on the SWC All-Decade Team, SWC Athlete of the Decade, the Babe Zaharias Award and Honda-Broderick Award honors After her collegiate career, she went on to become a gold medalist at the 1992 & 1996 Olympic Games as a member of Team USA’s 400-meter relay team.
Photo Courtesy: Gary Mortimore , U .S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, Texas Athletics
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Priest HolmesFootball Priest Holmes was one of the most dominant high school running backs of the decade earning all-state honors and leading San Antonio John Marshall to its first-ever state championship appearance in 1991. After high school, Holmes attended the University of Texas (1992-1996), where he is best remembered for his three touchdowns and 120 rushing yard in the Longhorns’ upset over two-time defending champion, Nebraska in the 1996 Big 12 Championship. In 1997, his NFL career took him to play for the Baltimore Ravens and later joined the Kansas City Chiefs in 2001. Holmes carved out a successful 10-year NFL career where he became a Super Bowl XXXV Champion, three-time All-Pro, three-time Pro Bowler and 2002 NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Photo Courtesy: Baltimore Ravens, Texas Athletics
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Adrian PetersonFootball A five-star recruit from Palestine High School, Adrian Peterson terrorized defenses for years and is considered one of the best running backs. Despite only playing football his junior and senior year of high school, in 2004 he was listed as the top overall prospect. Peterson took his talents to the University of Oklahoma where he earned first-team All-American (2004 , Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year, Big 12 Freshman of the Year and three All-Big 12 honors (2004-2006). Peterson forwent his senior season and was taken 7th overall by the Minnesota Vikings in 2007. As a rookie he rushed for 1,351 yards and 12 touchdowns in just 14 games to win AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. Over his career, Peterson has rushed for 14,918 yards, 120 touchdowns, average of 4.6 yards per carry and received the AP NFL MVP Trophy in 2012. He is a seven-time Pro Bowler, seven-time All-Pro, three-time NFL rushing champion and a member of the 2010s All-Decade Team. He is currently ranked fifth in rushing yards all-time.
Photo Courtesy: Oklahoma Athletics, Minnesota Vikings
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Cynthia PotterDiving Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Cynthia Potter competed in the sport of diving for a record of 20 years. After graduating from Lamar High School, she attend the University of Indiana where she was given the opportunity to train with the male divers to prepare for the international stage. She earned her spot on three Olympic teams (1972, ‘76 & ‘80) and won a bronze medal in 1976. Potter won a total of 28 swimming titles, a record that still stands today, and was voted Diver of the Year three times. As her competitive career ended, she went on to coach at several universities and became an analyst for NBC Sports’ Olympic coverage since the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona.
Photo Courtesy: USA Swim and Diving
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Michael StrahanFootballMichael Strahan was without a doubt one of the most feared defensive players in NFL history. After attending Texas Southern University, Strahan was drafted 40th overall by the New York Giants, where he spent his entire 15-year professional career. Strahan is a seven-time Pro Bowler and led the NFL in sacks for two seasons (2001, 2003). In 2001, he set the single-season sack record with a staggering 22.5 sacks and won NFL Defensive Player of the Year. In his final game as an NFL player, Strahan helped lead the Giants to a Super Bowl victory (2008) against the undefeated New England Patriots. He finished his career with 141.5 sacks, sixth all-time in NFL history. He is also a member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s and Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2014.
Photo Courtesy: New York Giants
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