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Gamecocks, You Lost A Legend This Week
Posted on 9/15/17 at 11:04 am
Posted on 9/15/17 at 11:04 am
Alex Hawkins died this week. Played for South Carolina then the colts and falcons. LINK
A unique person, a true lover of life. May he rest in peace.
Inspired a song based on this by Ray Stevens.
A unique person, a true lover of life. May he rest in peace.
Inspired a song based on this by Ray Stevens.
quote:
However, Hawkins was a virtual unknown when he played his first year for the Baltimore Colts. He wasn’t a starter, he was captain of special teams. When he went to midfield to meet the game officials and the opposing team captains, they asked him, “You’re Captain Who?”
When he stayed out all night (which he frequently did), his wife, sick with worry, looked everywhere. He walked in the house one morning at 8. Libby, his first wife, greeted him. “Alex,” she screamed anxiously, “where have you been?” Alex replied, “I have been out in the hammock all night. The moon was so beautiful I didn’t want to leave it.” His wife, fraught with worry, said frantically, “Do you expect me to believe that? We took the hammock down two weeks ago.” “Well,” Alex replied, “that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.”
This post was edited on 9/15/17 at 11:07 am
4
Posted on 9/15/17 at 11:28 am to OlGrandad
Very true. One of my favorite old school players.
Posted on 9/15/17 at 12:14 pm to OlGrandad
I love the old sports photos.
Here is Hawkins in high school I believe.
Posted on 9/15/17 at 12:27 pm to OlGrandad
Yes we did, he was a good guy ... really deteriorated these past few years. He lived a good life. Had the privilege of being around him a few times over the years - great sense of humor, could really tell some great stories.
He and King Dixon were a pair. I knew when King passed it wouldn't be long before The Hawk was far behind him.
I was still a relatively young man when I found myself, along with a few others, having some drinks downtown with Hawk and King and some others including Joe Morrison. Those guys could pound their liqour, although King didn't drink a lot. Man they were a wild bunch though. Tom Price our former AD and historian who I loved, was there referreeing things that night and I'll never forget it.
He was always a great Gamecock to the bone. Dan Reeves told me one time he thought The Hawk might have been our greatest Gamecock - especially back in the day. He was always approachable and he loved his fans.
We're going to miss knowing he is out there ... but it was merciful for him to finally go. Age and injuries had caught up with him and he was missing his old friends. God Bless him. We're all headed that way eventually. Time flies by.
He and King Dixon were a pair. I knew when King passed it wouldn't be long before The Hawk was far behind him.
I was still a relatively young man when I found myself, along with a few others, having some drinks downtown with Hawk and King and some others including Joe Morrison. Those guys could pound their liqour, although King didn't drink a lot. Man they were a wild bunch though. Tom Price our former AD and historian who I loved, was there referreeing things that night and I'll never forget it.
He was always a great Gamecock to the bone. Dan Reeves told me one time he thought The Hawk might have been our greatest Gamecock - especially back in the day. He was always approachable and he loved his fans.
We're going to miss knowing he is out there ... but it was merciful for him to finally go. Age and injuries had caught up with him and he was missing his old friends. God Bless him. We're all headed that way eventually. Time flies by.
Posted on 9/15/17 at 12:46 pm to scrooster
Marketing department at work was clearing out an old closet, and they found a Carolina mini-helmet signed by Hawkins.
The previous marketing team had used him for celebrity events and promotions. The new folks gave the helmet to me cos they knew I was an alum. It's sitting on my desk at work at this very moment.
The previous marketing team had used him for celebrity events and promotions. The new folks gave the helmet to me cos they knew I was an alum. It's sitting on my desk at work at this very moment.
Posted on 9/15/17 at 12:51 pm to OlGrandad
quote:
song based on this by Ray Stevens
quote:
Alex replied, “I have been out in the hammock all night. The moon was so beautiful I didn’t want to leave it.” His wife, fraught with worry, said frantically, “Do you expect me to believe that? We took the hammock down two weeks ago.” “Well,” Alex replied, “that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.”
That song was by Colin Raye, not Ray Stevens.
Posted on 9/15/17 at 12:58 pm to RoyalAir
I wish I had a picture with him ... no cell phones back in the day. Never thought to ask for many autographs over the years - kind of wish I would have now just to pass down. I've got some footballs and basketballs and a baseball full of team autographs and a few pictures - but I wish I had more. Smart phones really changed things for the better in that regard.
My cherished ball is my basketball signed by the 1971 team and coaches Frank McGuire, Buck Freeman, Bill Loving and Donnie Powell along with all the players. When Coach McGuire's home burned down in Whitehall I offered it to him as a replacement for the one he lost but he wouldn't take it - held it for awhile then handed it back to me and smiled and said he had all his memories in his head.
I've got a Sports Illustrated John Roche signed for me too.
I'd definitely hold onto that RoyalAir. He was special.
My cherished ball is my basketball signed by the 1971 team and coaches Frank McGuire, Buck Freeman, Bill Loving and Donnie Powell along with all the players. When Coach McGuire's home burned down in Whitehall I offered it to him as a replacement for the one he lost but he wouldn't take it - held it for awhile then handed it back to me and smiled and said he had all his memories in his head.
I've got a Sports Illustrated John Roche signed for me too.
I'd definitely hold onto that RoyalAir. He was special.
Posted on 9/15/17 at 1:24 pm to scrooster
quote:
That song was by Colin Raye, not Ray Stevens.
I knew that and have no idea why I put Ray Stevens. Brain is working overtime trying to figure out when Gus will call a triple reverse, fumblerooski.
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