{"id":16172,"date":"2025-05-29T17:01:50","date_gmt":"2025-05-29T17:01:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/?p=16172"},"modified":"2025-05-29T17:01:50","modified_gmt":"2025-05-29T17:01:50","slug":"the-african-american-sports-legends-in-pursuit-of-excellence-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/29\/the-african-american-sports-legends-in-pursuit-of-excellence-2\/","title":{"rendered":"The African American Sports Legends in Pursuit of Excellence"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_16173\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16173\" style=\"width: 271px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-16173\" src=\"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Mel-Long-1-271x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"271\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Mel-Long-1-271x300.jpg 271w, http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Mel-Long-1-226x250.jpg 226w, http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Mel-Long-1.jpg 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 271px) 100vw, 271px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-16173\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Mel Long<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>By Emily Evans<\/em><br \/>\n<em>The Truth Reporter<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The African American Legacy Project announced the Sports Legends Class of 2025 on Thursday, May 8, 2025,\u00a0 at The Back Forty Catering. The location was a perfect setting to formally unveil the latest Class of Champions. The honorees shared great conversations of success, memories and stories of their journeys.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are thrilled to recognize these trailblazing athletes and leaders,\u201d said Leroy Bates, spokesperson for the African American Sports Legends of Northwest Ohio. \u201cTheir legacy is not just one of victories and records, but of resilience, mentorship, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Class of 2025 inductees are: Nate Washington \u2013 football (Scott High School, Tiffin University, Pittsburgh Steelers,<\/p>\n<p>Tennessee Titans); Todd Mitchell \u2013 basketball (St. Francis de Sales, Purdue University); Ted Jobe \u2013 track &amp; football (Scott High School, University of Michigan); Chris Wormley \u2013 football (Whitmer High School, University of Michigan, Baltimore Ravens,<\/p>\n<p>Pittsburgh Steelers); Dan McLemore \u2013 basketball (Libbey High School, Bowling Green State University; Coach Willie Oliver \u2013 track &amp; field (Scott High School); Mahogany Green \u2013 basketball (Bowsher High School, Cleveland State, head coach at<\/p>\n<p>Hamilton College); Ann Archer \u2013 basketball (Waite High School)<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_16174\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-16174\" style=\"width: 289px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-16174\" src=\"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Linda-Johnson-receives-her-red-jacket-1-289x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"289\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Linda-Johnson-receives-her-red-jacket-1-289x300.jpg 289w, http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Linda-Johnson-receives-her-red-jacket-1-241x250.jpg 241w, http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Linda-Johnson-receives-her-red-jacket-1.jpg 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 289px) 100vw, 289px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-16174\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Linda Johnson receives her red jacket<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Additionally, \u00a0the evening celebrated three previously inducted legends who will be formally\u00a0presented with their official Hall of Fame Red Jackets:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Linda Jefferson \u2013 Libbey HS, Toledo Troopers; Woman Sport Magazine Athlete of the Year. Before Title 9, women had few opportunities to participate in sports. Jefferson paved the way for women and helped to change the mentality of others when it came to women playing sports that were dominated by men. Jefferson was one of the unsung heroes that made a huge difference.<\/li>\n<li>Curtis Johnson &#8211; Waite HS, member of University of Toledo football team\u2019s 35 &amp; 0 campaign in the early 1970s, later with the Miami Dolphins. He was the only athlete to go undefeated in a season in both college and in the pros. In college he was named to the Associated Press All American first team. He started out as an All City team member and then All MAC and All American by the time he departed The University of Toledo. He then went on to win the Super Bowl in Miami. He\u2019s one of the greatest Athletic leaders.<\/li>\n<li>Mel Long &#8211; Macomber HS, member of University of Toledo 35 &amp; 0 campaign and then the Cleveland Browns. Long joined the military service before going to college. He walked on the team then was immediately awarded a scholarship. He was a true leader of the team and spent a lot of time guiding his brothers to multiple victories.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>He was an All American on five different All American teams and was the first one in the history of the University of Toledo. During his Marine Corps service in Vietnam, he was awarded the Navy Cross, which is the most prestigious award that a Marine can win.<\/p>\n<p>All of the legends received beautiful red sports jackets and smiled for pictures among family and friends who came to celebrate them.<\/p>\n<p>The Sports Legends will host a Smoker on Friday June 13, 2025 at the Pinnacle in Maumee. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased through team members or by calling 419-720-4369.<\/p>\n<p>The public is invited to a free ceremony to witness the Class of 2025 receive their Hall of Fame Red Jackets 1:00 p.m, Saturday, June 14, 2025 at Jerusalem Baptist Church.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-16172 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-medium'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/29\/the-african-american-sports-legends-in-pursuit-of-excellence-2\/al-baker-2\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"222\" height=\"300\" src=\"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Al-Baker-1-222x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-16176\" srcset=\"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Al-Baker-1-222x300.jpg 222w, http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Al-Baker-1-185x250.jpg 185w, http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Al-Baker-1.jpg 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 222px) 100vw, 222px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-16176'>\n\t\t\t\tAl Baker\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/29\/the-african-american-sports-legends-in-pursuit-of-excellence-2\/robert-smith-5\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"297\" src=\"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Robert-Smith-1-300x297.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-16177\" srcset=\"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Robert-Smith-1-300x297.jpg 300w, http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Robert-Smith-1-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Robert-Smith-1-252x250.jpg 252w, http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Robert-Smith-1-45x45.jpg 45w, http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Robert-Smith-1.jpg 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-16177'>\n\t\t\t\tRobert Smith\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/29\/the-african-american-sports-legends-in-pursuit-of-excellence-2\/7a78a2ba-7192-4615-a8b4-ebfdefbddceb\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"202\" src=\"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/7a78a2ba-7192-4615-a8b4-ebfdefbddceb-300x202.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/7a78a2ba-7192-4615-a8b4-ebfdefbddceb-300x202.jpg 300w, http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/7a78a2ba-7192-4615-a8b4-ebfdefbddceb-370x250.jpg 370w, http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/7a78a2ba-7192-4615-a8b4-ebfdefbddceb.jpg 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Emily Evans The Truth Reporter The African American Legacy Project announced the Sports Legends Class of 2025 on Thursday, May 8, 2025,\u00a0 at The Back Forty Catering. The location was a perfect setting to formally unveil the latest Class of Champions. The honorees shared great conversations of success, memories and stories of their journeys. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":16178,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[250],"tags":[],"wf_post_folders":[295],"class_list":["post-16172","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-local-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16172","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16172"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16172\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16179,"href":"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16172\/revisions\/16179"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16178"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16172"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16172"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16172"},{"taxonomy":"wf_post_folders","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wf_post_folders?post=16172"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}