Jerry LeVias
Jerry Levias, born the year the Brooklyn Dodgers� Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball, was the first black high school football player to sign with a Southwest Conference school. The honors graduate from Beaumont Hebert chose Southern Methodist University on May 22, 1965. The 155-pound receiver and return specialist was to make a lasting impression on SMU and the SWC. Levias was three times consensus All-SWC, 1966-68, and All-America as a senior. He twice led the league in receiving and held every career record when his three varsity seasons ended: 155 catches, 2,275 yards, and 22 touchdowns. His dazzling big-play talents fueled the Mustang drive to the Cotton Bowl as a sophomore and the Bluebonnet Bowl as a senior. Levias played two seasons with the Houston Oilers (1970-1971) and four with the San Diego Chargers (1971-1974). He was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 1995.
