Auburn University & head coach Ralph "Shug" Jordan integrated its athletic program before the Univeristy of Alabama. Halfback James Owens, from Fairfield High School, became a scholorship freshman in 1969 and played on the varsity team from 1970 to 1972. James returns a kick for a touchdown in this video from the game against Florida at Gainsville in 1970.
Alabama later signed Wilbur Jackson of Ozark to an athletic scholarship.
UAT got their asses handed to them by the great USC Trojans in 1970.
greymoose1000 7 months ago
AUsome history making footage!
Per bammer historians they needed Sam Bam Cunningham to beat them to death in Birmingham Sept 1970 before they saw the need to integrate. Auburn intergrated did it by signing James Owens during the fall SEC signing period in Dec. 1968.
tygbro 7 months ago