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Legends. Leaders. Legacy.
An event and fundraiser honoring the legacy of Southeast Texas’ pro football pioneers — from the gridiron giants of the past to the community champions of today.
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From 1968 to 1972, sixteen NFL athletes emerged from Beaumont, Texas alone. Not just roster-fillers — we’re talking game-changers, record-breakers, and Pro Bowl playmakers, collectively earning ten Pro Bowl appearances in just five years.
The legendary lineup?​
Bubba & Tody Smith, Jerry LeVias, Warren Wells, Wayne Moore, Mel & Miller Farr, Johnny Fuller, Gus Holloman, Anthony Guillory, Jesse Phillips, Dwight Harrison, Charles Ford, Bob Pollard, Billy Wright, and Wayne McDermand.
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At the 1971 National Conference of U.S. Mayors, Ken Ritter officially proclaimed Beaumont, TX, the “Professional Football Capital of the World.” Mayor Ritter said, “City officials were a little nervous about making a claim, but no one challenged it so it stuck.”
Mel Farr
#MelFarr #BeaumontHebert
Hometown: Beaumont
Position & Teams: Detroit Lions (RB)
Years Active: 1967-1973
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1967 1st Round NFL Draft Pick 7th (Overall)
Beaumont Hebert High School Panthers Alumni
Phenomenal athlete and RB Mel Farr #24
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Mel Farr played for the late legendary football coach Clifton J. Ozen. He was a member of the Panthers football and PVIL State Championship relay team. Farr was also named to the All-Time PVIL Offensive Football Team.
His talents earned him a collegiate football scholarship to UCLA. Farr played college football as a halfback on the 1965 and 1966 UCLA Bruins football teams that were ranked No. 4 and No. 5 respectively in the final AP Polls.
He was selected as a consensus first-team All-American in 1966, gained over 1,000 yards from scrimmage in both 1965 and 1966, and was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame in 1988.
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Farr was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the first round, seventh overall pick of the 1967 NFL Draft and played seven years as a running back for the Lions.
He led the Lions in both rushing and receiving in 1967, totaling 1,177 yards from scrimmage as a rookie, and was selected as the NFL Rookie of the Year. He was twice selected to play in the Pro Bowl, in 1967 and 1970.
After retiring from football, Farr acquired a Ford Motor Company dealership in 1975, eventually expanding his business to 11 dealerships in five states. By 1998, Farr's automotive group was cited as the largest African American owned company in the country.
Miller Farr
#MillerFarr #BeaumontHebert
Hometown: Beaumont
Position & Teams: Oilers, Chargers (DB)
Years Active: 1965-1969
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1967 1st Round NFL Draft Pick 7th (Overall)
Beaumont Hebert High School Panthers Alumni
Phenomenal athlete and RB Mel Farr #24
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Beaumont Hebert Panthers Alumni the phenomenal athlete and star football player Miller Farr. He was named to the PVIL All Time Defensive Football Team. Farr played for the legendary football coach Clifton J. Ozen. He was an exceptional talent, including baseball player.
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His athletic talents earned him a collegiate football scholarship to Wichita State University, lettering in football and track. In his senior year, he led the nation in kickoff and punt returns.
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Miller Farr was a first-round draft choice by the AFL's Denver Broncos in the 1965 Red Shirt draft, then went to the San Diego Chargers for 1965 and 1966.
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He also played defensive back for the Houston Oilers from 1967 through 1969. In 1968 he led the AFL in interception touchdowns that year and was selected All-AFL. He is a member of a family of great athletes and artists, including a brother and cousins, football players Mel Farr, Lem Barney, and Jerry LeVias, and cousin, singer Marvin Gaye.