Back
in the 1950's, a legend was born on the playing fields of Richmond, Virginia's
Randolph Center. Willie Lanier learned how to play football and how to think
and react under pressure. He moved on from Randolph Center to star as football
player and student at Maggie Walker High School and Morgan State University
in Maryland.
In 1967, he was drafted by
the Kansas City Chiefs. As middle linebacker, he anchored their superb defensive
team. His teammates made him their leader and counselor and called him "Honey
Bear." Lanier's career spanned from 1967 to 1977, and he was selected for the
All-Pro Team six times. In Super Bowl IV, January 1970, this superstar led his
team to victory and 22 years later the team retired his jersey. Retirement from
the National Football League held no terror for "Honey Bear" because he had
made plans for adjusting to life after football when cheering crowds no longer
urged him on. Today, this strong man is a vice president with Wheat First Securities
in Richmond, and Virginia's citizens applaud his efforts in the community.
In 1986, when Lanier was
named to Pro Football's Hall of Fame, community leader Betty Squire held a banquet
in his honor, and helped the community by using profits from the banquets to
establish the Willie E. Lanier Scholarship and Development Fund. It provides
financial and academic support for high school students and helps them enroll
in Black Heritage Universities.
For his tireless efforts
to improve the quality of life for Virginians, the Press Association named him
"Virginian of the Year" in 1986. He and Arthur Ashe are the only athletes so
honored.
