AFRICAN AMERICAN SPORTS LEGENDS
HALL OF FAME

DR. JOHN MCKAY WILLIAMS

1945-2012

John McKay Williams was born in Jackson, Mississippi, and raised in Toledo, Ohio, John was a gifted All-City athlete in both football and basketball at Libbey High School. He was heavily recruited but ultimately decided to attend the University of Minnesota, where he was All-Big Ten. In 1967, he was named as a First Team All - Big Ten tackle and was instrumental in the Minnesota Gophers winning the Big Ten title that same year.

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In 1968, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education from Minnesota and became the NFL first-round draft pick for the Baltimore Colts. John was an offensive lineman for the Colts from 1968-1972, he played in two Super Bowls with the team, winning Super Bowl V against the Dallas Cowboys. Next, he played for the Los Angeles Rams from 1972-1979 and went to Super Bowl XIV with the Rams. During the off-season while in the NFL, John worked on a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Maryland. After officially retiring from the NFL after 12 years, he moved back to Minnesota from Los Angles to open his dental practice in Minneapolis where he would practice for 34 years.
 

As one of only 100 professionals in the United States trained in forensic dentistry, John helped identify victims of the September 11 tragedy in New York. He received several community awards and other recognitions during his lifetime and posthumous including Minneapolis Volunteer of the Year 1992, Toledo City League Hall of Fame 2004, Ohio African American Legacy Project Award 2008.

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LINDA JEFFERSON

circa 1970

Linda Jefferson came on the athletic scene in the 70's before Title IX. 

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Without question Ms. Jefferson broke ground for females, not just African Americans, but... all females. 

She taught women to set their fears aside and move straight ahead -- even when it is uncharted territory.

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Jefferson - a graduate of Edward Drummond Libbey High School -played professional football in the NWFL for the Toledo Troopers from 1972 to 1979. She became the All-Time rusher and scorer in Women's Professional Football history with over 7,000 rushing yards and 140 touchdowns.   

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Jefferson even appeared on ABC's Women's Superstars and competed against the likes of Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova and other women of Jefferson's caliber.

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Linda - a superior and gifted athlete - had so many "firsts" and just as many milestones.  Ms. Jefferson helped lead the way for women and demonstrated the possibilities.  

Hands down, Jefferson is one of the most gifted athletes - male or female - we know!

TRUMAN CLAYTOR

circa 1970

Truman Claytor attended Scott High School, Toledo, Ohio, where he joined the undefeated Bulldog basketball team. As a junior, he played in the 1974 state championship semi-finals and was selected First Team All-Tournament. The following year, as a senior, he averaged 21.9 points per game with a high of 46 points against Rogers High School Sectional Tournament Championship game.

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Truman attended the University of Kentucky and played on both NIT and NCAA championship teams (1976 & 1978). During his senior year, he was team co-captain and honored as the best defense player. He was also selected to the All South Eastern Conference Tournament team.

Truman’s athletic prowess on the court has earned him countless awards and accolades.

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In 1979, Truman was a sixth round National Basketball Association (NBA) draft pick by the Detroit Pistons. The following year, he signed as a free agent with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Professionally,

Truman serves the community working as a counselor and has dedicated his life to helping young people who experience problems with alcohol and drugs.

His love of basketball continues to burn bright. For more than 25 years, Truman has officiated varsity girls' and boys' basketball.