House Concurrent Resolution 16

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MR. CALVIN HUEY, THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN TO PLAY FOOTBALL FOR THE NAVAL ACADEMY.

WHEREAS, Pascagoula native Calvin Huey, who was known for his large hands and warm heart, became the first African American to play football for the Navy, and though he passed away in September 2018 at the age of 75, his legacy of sportsmanship and determination will never fade; and

WHEREAS, on November 28, 1964, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a tall, strapping, African-American man from Mississippi, wearing jersey number 49, walked onto the field as a Midshipmen, outfitted in the navy blue and gold, and caught passes from the legendary Roger Staubach, becoming the first African American to participate in one of America's most classic sports rivalries; and

WHEREAS, before that historic game in 1964, Calvin was the starting quarterback for the football team at Carver High School in Pascagoula, but he was more than just a tremendous athlete, as his intellect rivaled his athletic prowess, and he excelled in math and science and was named the valedictorian for the Carver High School Class of 1961, as well as the captain of the football and basketball teams; and

WHEREAS, after graduation, Calvin went to California City College in Oakland, a two-year school that again saw him surpass all expectations in the classroom and on the football field, impressing those around him with his physical and mental abilities, and through a Mississippi Congressman, he applied for an appointment to the Naval Academy; and

WHEREAS, unfortunately, he was refused and that same year, 1962, 30,000 troops were needed to enroll James Meredith in classes at the University of Mississippi, but Calvin did not let the rejection stop his determination and sought an appointment from a California Congressman, Jeffery Cohelan, who gladly took on the role and fought for Calvin to attend the Naval Academy, and this time, the appointment, which had nothing to do with his accolades between the goalposts, was successful; and

WHEREAS, in the summer of 1964, Calvin and 300 of his fellow plebes tried out for the Navy football team, but when Calvin realized that 14 of the 300 were trying out for the quarterback position that was already occupied by the great Staubach, he concluded that he would have a better shot of playing if he tried out for another position, so at six feet and two inches, 185 pounds and blessed with enormous hands, he became a natural at the wide receiver position; and

WHEREAS, Calvin had quite an impact on the Naval Academy's athletic department, as he caught passes no other receiver could catch and also made a great basketball player, and those who knew him during that time described him as a truly gifted athlete, a quiet leader who always wore a smile, a hard worker with a great personality and a brilliant academic, and while Calvin returned the adoration of his beloved Naval Academy, he never boasted about his numerous accomplishments but would simply smile if others brought them up; and

WHEREAS, Calvin served two tours of duty in Vietnam after his graduation from the Naval Academy, one as a gun operator and one in Naval intelligence, and he later earned his Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Maryland before returning to the Naval Academy as a chemistry professor and assistant football coach; and

WHEREAS, in 2015, Pascagoula instituted a sports hall of fame, and Calvin Huey was not only in the inaugural class but was also chosen by his fellow inductees to give an acceptance speech for the group; and

WHEREAS, throughout his life, Calvin received unwavering support from his wife, Deborah Huey, who described her husband as a beautiful human being with the heart of a champion who floated through life with grace and courage; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend the lives of remarkable Mississippians, and no one fits that description better than Calvin Huey, a man who led with his heart and has brought copious amounts of honor and pride to his family, the City of Pascagoula and the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize and commend the life and legacy of Mr. Calvin Huey, the first African American to play football for the Naval Academy and express deepest sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Calvin Huey and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.