Forever Our Quarterback: Remembering Alton Grizzard

Highlights featuring my childhood hero, Navy quarterback Alton Grizzard. Alton was a legend in Virginia Beach high school football, named the 1986 Virginian Pilot All-Tidewater Player of the Year despite playing only one season at QB for Green Run High School. He moved on to the Naval Academy, where he was placed into the starting lineup midway through his freshman year. Alton went on to start all four years at USNA, and graduated in 1991 as Navy's all-time leader in yards from scrimmage. Alton became a Navy SEAL and saw action in Somalia.

On December 1, 1993, Alton was murdered in Coronado, CA, while coming to the aid of a friend.

Nobody was more proud to play football at the Naval Academy than Alton Grizzard. His pride and genuine excitement were a tremendous influence on me in my own decision to attend USNA. As a new generation of Navy football players and fans pass through Annapolis, I hope they remember their brother who went before them.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• navy
• football
• midshipmen
• college
• USNA
• maryland
• NCAA
• US
• Naval
• Academy

[coltstothesuperbowl]

I watch this video with my 8 year old son about once a week. We live right around the corner from Green Run High School. Even though he knows only what he sees in this video about Alton he seems very impressed. In telling my son about the circumstances of Alton's death he wonders why somebody could do that to such a great person. It truly touches me every time we watch this video. Recently, I believe Green Run High School's Booster Club started an Alton Grizzard scholarship!

[Anteros05]

His sister Dale was my high school English teacher. She was awesome.

[MrJoedonbaker1]

I'd never heard about this story. Alton was awesome. It's awful what happened to him.

[pearsonbillie]

Alton and I both graduated from Green Run High School and were good friends. He was a very special person, athlete and friend! Watching that video brought back a lot memories.........and a lot of sadness as well! It was such a senseless murder!

[jeffreyuphoff]

So many random, senseless deaths in our class (USNA '91)... *sigh*

[Dub179]

I went to the Academy and BUD/S w/ Alton. No one possessed greater natural athletic ability, charisma or leadership potential. Grizz was fearless, confident, competent yet humble, all in one. He let his actions on the football field, the PT 'grinder' and on deployment as a young JO in the Teams speak for himself. The Academy, the Navy and America lost an incredible individual who touched so many lives in his brief but fulfilled life. Alton lived every day like it was his last. Godspeed #16...

[VBALLENKLAN]

I played football with Alton at the athletic fields on Dahlia Drive when I was a kid. He was so amazing on many levels. I loved watching him play at Green Run. His loss was such a tragedy. Every time I walk down the hall in Green Run high (often), i see his picture up on the wall with his jersey and I'm reminded that I was once in th epresence of greatness. God Bless Alton, HOOYAH!

[nurseniceyes]

Jeffrey Scott is my half-brother. I always looked up to those two guys, Alton and Scott. I wanted so much to be like them.Fearless, Brave, and Talented. I remember Alton with fond memories like the time he thought his dad was gonna kill him for coming down to South Carolina when he broke his foot messing around on the motorcycles. Our lives are so much better just for having known him.

[Gia0718]

my mum was at usna with alton. she said he was awesome.

[jsbswampfox]

Alton Lee was my best friend when we were kids living in Japan, Both our fathers were in the navy. I played foot ball with him, his dad, Bill was our coach. I went in the Army...He went to the naval acedemy. I often wondered if Atha Dale went on to be an english teacher, she wanted to do that way back then......I miss all of them dearly...Bill, Candy, Atha Dale and most of all, my best friend....He is always in my thoughts and prayers...I miss you friend....Scott