Delivering the keynote address at Marshall University’s Memorial Fountain Ceremony in 2023 was an incredibly humbling experience. As a former Marshall football player, I had the unique opportunity to share perspectives that had never been discussed in this setting before.
My personal insights were birthed while writing my two memoirs, November Ever After and its sequel, Marshall Ever After.
The Memorial Fountain Ceremony is held annually to honor the 75 lives lost in the tragic plane crash on November 14, 1970. This somber event serves as a powerful reminder of the devastating impact of that night and the resilience of the Marshall community.
My experience as the keynote speaker was joyful and memorable for all the right reasons. (Photo by Vic Simpson)
The ceremony brings together students, alumni, friends and families to remember those who perished and to reflect on the enduring legacy of their lives.
During my speech, I spoke about the ugly racial confrontations on November 13, 1970, the day before the crash, including the bloody fights that broke out among students. Larry “The Governor” Brown, one of the players who perished in the crash, played a key role in diffusing the tension.
Despite his efforts, anger, apprehension, and fear still lingered among Black students.
“I remain fully convinced”
“A lot of us were on edge,” I shared with the audience. “Even now, to this very day, I remain fully convinced that we were on the verge of a full-scale race riot on Marshall’s campus.”
The very next night, life changed forever. Marshall’s plane crashed just short of the airport runway and there were no survivors.
“The gravity of grief is overwhelming,” I said. “We weren’t thinking about the N word, racial bickering, or rebel flags. It was as if the Friday the 13th fights had never happened.
Agents of peace
“Ladies and gentlemen, this was not a Black thing, this was not a white thing – this was a death thing, and death does not discriminate. So, in ways no one could have imagined, the football team from ‘70 really became agents of peace between the races.”
Reflecting on that tragedy, I emphasized its lasting impact, even over half a century later. I recounted the story of two people who, during a job interview in 2004, discovered a shared connection to the crash. One was a Marshall alumna, the other, the best friend of running back Art Harris, one of the 75 victims.
Unity on full display
As I surveyed the crowd from the podium that day, I was struck by the profound sense of togetherness that has emerged from such unimaginable loss.
This ceremony is more than just a tribute. It is a testament to the strength of the Marshall community, the enduring legacy of those we lost, and the power of remembrance to heal and bring people together.
Even in the face of overwhelming grief, we find comfort in the knowledge that the memory of those who perished continues to inspire and unite us all.
Author’s Note: Quotes in this blog post come from an article published in the Herald-Dispatch daily newspaper in Huntington, West Virginia (November 15, 2023).
