“There are two kinds of people in the world,” said Sam Dimas, member of the first Poly Football Hall of Fame Class. “Those who went to Poly, and those who wish they did.” The latter camp must have felt extra jealous Thursday night, as America’s best high school football program honored its initial twelve HOF inductees at the Reef in Long Beach. The event was so well put together, with Poly-colored centerpieces, elegantly written programs, and Hall of Fame jackets for the inductees, that it was hard to believe Poly’s Boosters hadn’t been throwing these things for nearly as long as the Jackrabbits have been playing football.
The evening started with Poly Co-Principal Victor Jarels’ stirring account of the Jackrabbits’ 2007 visit to the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton, and his awe at entering the enshrinement room, where the walls are lined with busts of the Hall of Famers. Then current Rabbits coach Raul Lara took the stage, and echoed Jarels in talking about the importance of history. When his team made the trip to Ohio last season, he told them, “You’re not going on this trip because of what you’ve done; you’re going because of what the past has done for you.”
Then there was dinner, and other festivities—a silent auction, which included inductee Tony Harris outbidding fellow inductee Gene Washington for the privilege of being Poly football “Coach For a Day.” The audience was also treated to a performance by the Poly cheerleaders, as well as a live auction for an autographed Marcedes Lewis jersey (won by Washington, who outbid himself three consecutive times to drive the price up—gotta love fundraisers).
Then we got into the meat of the program: the induction ceremony, MCed by Press Telegram ex-sports writer (and Hall of Famer in his own right) Jim McCormack. Being inducted were twelve men (including a posthumous award for Kirk Jones), representing over a century of Poly football, a tradition that’s produced 47 NFL players, 17 CIF championships, and countless scholarships. Each honoree deserves his own article, but since there are a dozen stories to tell, this will be limited just to the highlights. To see a video package of the evening that includes clips from the induction speeches, be sure to click on the Youtube video JJ put together!
Dee Andrews, a football and track star at Poly and current Long Beach councilman, was officially the first Jackrabbit to slip on the Hall of Fame jacket. Andrews was a running back with elusive quickness—which he claimed during his speech came from fear of being caught. He is a former Cowboy, a member of the Long Beach State and Century Club Halls of Fame, and was Poly’s first African-American student body president.
Willie Brown averaged 13.5 yards a carry in the 1959 season, which is all that really needs to be said. He played for the Rams and Chargers, and was drafted as a pro baseball player, too. Another multi-sport threat, Brown excelled at basketball as well.
Mark Carrier couldn’t attend the ceremony, because NFL training camps just opened, and he’s busy as the secondary coach of the Ravens—that’s probably a good indication that Carrier deserves to be a first-class inductee. He was NFL Rookie of the Year in 1990 with the Bears, after nabbing a rookie record-setting 10 interceptions.
Sam Dimas‘ story is as long as it is remarkable, and this meager space won’t do it justice. Dimas left a successful football career behind to join the Army in 1942—two years later, he was injured in battle, and spent several years recovering. After that he returned as UCSB’s starting tailback, then went on to coach at his alma mater, Poly for nearly forty years.
Tony Hill was a Dallas Cowboy for a decade from 1977-1987, leading the team in both receptions and yardage for eight of his ten years, prompting coach Tom Landry to deem him the Boys’ “Home Run Hitter.” Hill had a strong career in Dallas, and is second in receptions and yardage on the Cowboys only to legend Michael Irvin.
Bill Jessup, Poly class of 1947, was a utility man who played on both sides of the ball. Incredibly athletic, Jessup was also a shot putter and hurdler, and went on to play football at LBCC and USC. He made history by becoming the first player to play in the AFL, CFL, and NFL.
Kirk Jones was honored posthumously with a moving video tribute, before his son accepted his induction certificate and trophy on Kirk’s behalf. Jones was an unstoppable running back, who led Poly to three CIF championship games in the early 80s. After playing for three teams in the NFL, Jones coached and taught at Poly before passing away.
Don Norford has produced more NFL players than any other coach in the country, a fact acknowledged by his award from the NFL for Coach of the Year in 1996, the first time ever that award was given to an assistant coach. Norford gave an emotional speech highlighting the need to not just recognize past greatness, but to do anything possible to support young players just coming up. Norford, who has become a father figure to many in the Poly football community and has housed players in the past (including fellow inductee Marquez Pope), truly embodies that goal.
Earl McCullouch was another football/track star, who attended LBCC and USC. Drafted by the Lions, McCulloch was Rookie of the Year in 1968, and has resided in Long Beach ever since retiring in 1974, working as a coach for Wilson as well as Poly.
Marquez Pope is the only player in NFL history to play for every NFL team in California (the 49ers, Raiders, Rams, and Chargers). The youngest inductee—a fact Pope didn’t let his elders forget during his speech—he spent a decade in the NFL before retiring to focus on business interests. A world-class cornerback, Pope has also worked as an international spokesman for the NFL.
Brian Tuliau, along with Mark Carrier, is the second representative from the stifling 1985 Poly defense that didn’t allow a single touchdown until the very last regular season game. Tuliau was a big-hitting linebacker, who went on to play at USC (with Carrier) before returning to Long Beach, where he now works as a Sergeant in the LBPD, in gang enforcement.
Gene Washington was the perfect speaker to end the evening with, and—as Bill Bacca pointed out to me—is still in game shape. He has plenty of daily inspiration, as the NFL’s Director of Football Operations, a position that makes him responsible for doling out fines and suspensions, among other responsibilities. Washington played football and basketball at Poly, before going on to become the first African-American quarterback and Stanford, and spending nine years with the 49ers, including four straight Pro Bowl appearances.
The crowd ate it all up, still enthusiastic and responsive as the ceremony neared 11pm. I spotted a lot of familiar faces, including two players from my time at Poly, Chris Lewis and Hershel Dennis (who perhaps used the forms provided by the Boosters to nominate themselves for next year’s induction?). Because of how lavishly put together the program was, and because of the celebratory atmosphere, it was easy to forget that this was essentially a fundraiser for a high school football team. But that’s because, over the course of the evening, this ceremony became much more than a fundraiser—and while Lara and his upcoming squads will reap the financial benefit of the Boosters’ efforts, the whole city will get the benefit of the pride and enjoyment to be had from reliving the history of America’s best high school football program.