Abner Haynes has Died

[Venson]

Today we lost the great Abner Haynes.

 

[Marty]

Loss of a legend! RIP Abner.

[GrandGreen]

Loss of a NT legend, but more importantly a national legend.   

Jerry Levius, who was recruited to SMU by Hayden Fry in 1966 was the much ballyhooed first black player to sign in the SWC. 

Despite that Haynes and King played for NT, ten years earlier.  

A historical athlete, who also had a great college and pro career.  I have had the pleasure of talking to him several times at NT functions and he was a great supporter of the Green.  

[greenjoe]

Abner Haynes played football here when the playing part was the easy part.  The abuse he had to deal with, likely every day, must have made him wonder why he chose to come here in the first place.  Abner Haynes and his teammate Leon King blocked so that others could run.  They carried the ball so that the  ball later generations carried was lighter.  And thank you to the University of North Texas (NTSC, NTSU) for offering these opportunities some 10 years before those opportunities became fashionable.

My Dad took me to see my first football game.  I’ll never forget him saying we were going to see “Little Abner.”

There should be a statue to Abner Haynes next to Joe Greene’s.  I’m just sorry Abner wont see it.  

[GMoney]

I met Abner at the Color Barrier Breaker Breakfast some 10 years ago.  I saw him again at the dedication of the Unity Plaza.  He truly was a man amongst men.  Every black athlete at North Texas should know his story and those of the men who helped him get through it!  As a former player, I will always owe him a debt of gratitude for what he did!

At let us not forget... Abner and Leon are the TRUE color barrier breakers in Texas (not what the school down south wants you to believe).

RIP! GMG Forever!

 

[Side.Show.Joe]

This is sad news. Abner was a legend, but he was also really nice person, despite all he endured. I'm grateful to have met him I hope the team wears a 28 patch and honor him this season.

[NT80]

[greenminer]

2 hours ago, greenjoe said:

Abner Haynes played football here when the playing part was the easy part.  The abuse he had to deal with, likely every day, must have made him wonder why he chose to come here in the first place.  Abner Haynes and his teammate Leon King blocked so that others could run.  They carried the ball so that the  ball later generations carried was lighter.  And thank you to the University of North Texas (NTSC, NTSU) for offering these opportunities some 10 years before those opportunities became fashionable.

My Dad took me to see my first football game.  I’ll never forget him saying we were going to see “Little Abner.”

There should be a statue to Abner Haynes next to Joe Greene’s.  I’m just sorry Abner wont see it.  

IMO, this part of our history should be glorified as much as UTEP honors and glorifies their 1966 MBB National Title.

Maybe one day someone will document this team in film/cinema, profiling as many people as possible who were a part of the story.

Edited July 18 by greenminer

[Dannymacfan]

Sad day.  We never game him the appreciation he deserved.  Mean Joe got all the attention.

[Udomann]

1 hour ago, NT80 said:

Dallas texans... this so predates me but what cool collectible. I suppose he retired a Chief? RIP to a UNT legend

[greenjoe]

When someone knows the details of a funeral/memorial service please post them here.  

[NorthTexasWeLove]

Rip

[UNT86]

4 hours ago, Udomann said:

Dallas Texans... this so predates me but what cool collectible. I suppose he retired a Chief. RIP to a UNT legend

He played the best part of his career for the Chiefs/Texans.  He is in the Chiefs Ring of Honor.  He finished his career for the Dolphins and the Broncos.  I believe his entire career was AFL.

Edited July 19 by UNT86

[Venson]

10 hours ago, Side.Show.Joe said:

I hope the team wears a 28 patch and honor him this season.

That would be a nice touch.

[jtm0097]

RIP to a legend.

There's a great book called The Game Changers which documented his time at North Texas.

[Big Z]

RIP 

He needs a statue outside the stadium 

[Zeleny' Orel]

On 7/19/2024 at 10:24 AM, jtm0097 said:

RIP to a legend.

There's a great book called The Game Changers which documented his time at North Texas.

Read it about a year ago...good book 

[Marty]

 

[Jonnyeagle]

Am I the only one who continues to feel sadness about this death?