Volume 29 Issue 3

GREATER HOUSTON EDITION African-American News&Issues

February 2, 2024

“Addressing Current & Historical Realities Affecting Our Community”

Vol. 29, Issue 03

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The negro who lives on the patronage of philanthropists is the most dangerous member of society because he is willing to turn back the clock of progress when his benefactor asks him to - Marcus Garvey

BYRON L. SHEPARD 4/26/77 – 1/13/24 This is a tale of a young man who, though considered to have his own special needs, was very special, without a doubt, to his family and friends. His life story, however, shows everyone just how uniquely special he was. This extraordinary individual, against all odds, despite an unfathomable diagnosis at birth, faced life with excitement, joy, love, Byron on pg. 5 and fiery independence.

Eldridge Dickey 1964 Graduate of HISD Booker T. Washington High School

Courtesy of Las Vegas Raiders

GREATEST NFL CRIME COMMITTED

By: Shelley McKinley

Born on Christmas Eve 1945, to a pastor and a nurse, it was fitting that Eldridge Dickey’s nickname would later become ‘The Lord’s Prayer.” He grew up in Independence Heights, the first Black town in Texas before it later became part of Houston’s Fourth Ward. While attending Lockett Junior High School in Houston, Dickey was quickly moved into the quarterback position in seventh grade, based on the speed and accuracy of the balls he returned during his brief stint as a wide receiver. Dickey became known among his junior high coaches as ‘The Boy with the Golden Arm.’

At Booker T. Washington High School in Houston, more people, including college scouts, got to see what Dickey’s junior high school coaches saw in him as a quarterback. He could throw with both hands, had arm strength, and possessed the speed of a track star.

He also had an IQ in the 130s. As a result, Dickey was a standout among the Prairie View Interscholastic League and highly recruited to attend Tennessee State University (TSU). TSU won an intense recruiting battle for the highly decorated 6’2, 190 pound quarterback, who NFL Crime on pg. 3

SGT. WILLIAM JEROME RIVERS, SPC. BREONNA ALEXSONDRIA MOFFETT, SPC. KENNEDY LADON SANDERS By: C. Todd Lopez

Three U.S. soldiers were killed yesterday in Jordan, while more than 40 other service members were injured following an uncrewed aerial system attack at a military base near the Syrian border. Those service members were in Jordan to support Operation Inherent Resolve, which is the U.S. and coaliFor more visit tion mission to ensure the defeat of ISIS. aframnews.com

2 AFRAMNEWS.COM

President/Chief Editor Contributing Writers Dr. Bobby Mills Travis McGee Rachel Thompson Jazz Pazz Asia Williams William Monroe Trotter Jr. Dr. Shelley McKinley

February 2, 2024

EDITORIAL

A Revival of God Consciousness Bobby Mills, Phd

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GREATER HOUSTON EDITION

ABNORMAL POLITICS Politics in 21st century America is abnormal and downright ungodly. In fact, our political discourse has become so abnormal and devilishly toxic, until it is an abomination both to God, democracy, and humanity.

The advent of 21st century Trumpism based upon White Privilege Autocracy, “Make America White Again” is the fuel that is the source of democratic politics gone astray in American society.

Political abnormality is leading America into the spiritual wilderness of no God Conscience. A man after God’s own heart said it best: “The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God. Corrupt are they and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.” (Psalm 53:1). America, this scripture is a Godly attempt to inform Christian Right Evangelicals, The GOP, White Nationalists, Fox “FAKE” News, some spiritually misguided Blacks and other minorities that when you fail to include in a multi-cultural democratic society, we create abnormal political discourse. It is a declaration that there is no God, even though God is an inclusive God. Since 2016, America’s Golden Escalator Experience, we have been in sinking sand, and we could be buried in it if we continue down this ungodly

pathway. America, (73+ million) Americans voted for an ungodly man speaking ill of other men, and stated boldly that he could kill someone on Fifth Avenue, and individuals would still support him. This is a devilish statement by a demonic individual who obviously has a God-complex, and if you desire this type of Presidential Leadership Mentality as an example for your children, then as Jesus said on Calvary’s Cross: “Father forgive them for they know not what they do”. Any man that offers individuals something for nothing because of their skin tone is a lair and the truth is not in him, because God has already declared what every man must do “work by the sweat of his own brow”. When individuals desire something for nothing, they get nothing.

Consequently, they desire to change forms of government to establish Privilege rather than embrace democracy (equality). The (1619) Project is the classic example.

Abnormal politics is becoming more abnormal each day! For example, when a man is brazening enough to toss his hat in the political arena, and he has been convicted of sexual assault and ordered to pay damages of five million dollars and is presently on trial for additional damages.

Additionally, this Presidential candidate has four different criminal cases with (91) different indictments, and presently going to be the Standard Bearer of The Grand Ole Party, which in turn, has become not so GRAND, because of its For more visit cult-like image. aframnews.com

Rosa Parks

By Bakari Height

NOT THROUGH WORDS, BUT ACTION February 4 is Rosa Parks’ birthday. It is also Transit Equity Day. These days are tied together because Rosa Parks is an iconic figure among many of the civil rights era who chose the tactic of refusing to give up her seat on the bus. And transit advocates, like myself, want to make the connection to this act of resistance to highlight the rights of all people to high-quality public transportation powered by clean and renewable energy and organized labor.

But for far too long, policymakers in Washington have prioritized highways and cars over public transit.

This has devastating impacts not only for the climate crisis but on the budgets of local transit agencies and communities across the nation.

A new piece of legislation introduced last month by Congressman Hank Johnson from the Atlanta area would change that. The bill titled, “Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act” will provide high-quality transit to communities across the country.

The fact of the matter is the COVID pandemic and recovery forever changed how our communities function, work, socialize, and

commute. It also dramatically showed that public transit is essential to our communities, local economies, and the lives of millions of people across the country.

Essential workers depend on and operate transit, small businesses depend on transit, and historically marginalized communities depend on transit. Transit is a key component of economic recovery and a more environmentally sustainable society, and it’s a road to equity for disconnected communities—rural, urban, and suburban.

The recently introduced legislation would create a new formula grant program available to all transit agencies to increase service frequency and dependability so that people don’t have to wait so long for the bus, to provide additional hours of service so that those who don’t work white-collar hours can still get to their jobs; and to add new, frequent service to underserved communities.

For decades, the federal government has supported the cost of operating aviation through air traffic control and the cost of shipping through investment in ports and the management of locks and dams in the inland waterways. These are essential services for the movement of goods and people. Operating high-quality transit is just as essential to get people to employment and to give businesses access to talent and customers.

And it is time for Washington to treat it as such.

For more visit aframnews.com

GREATER HOUSTON EDITION NFL Crime Cont. was known for his agility, quickness, and ambidextrous throwing ability.

It was there at Tennessee State University, from 1965 to 1968, that he acquired his nickname ‘The Lord’s Prayer.’

When he decided to attend Tennessee State University, he was given the nickname by head coach John Merritt.

First, he was an answered prayer for the university’s football program. Dickey led Tennessee State to a perfect season in 1966 and the National Black College Football Championship. Second, Dickey led his team in prayer before every game.

CBS Sports reported that Former Tennessee State coach Joe Gilliam Sr. once said. “Our stadium would hold about 18,000 and at game time there would be about 30,000 people in here. Breaking every fire code that you want to think about, but that’s the way they came.

They came from all over the country to see that young man, Eldridge Dickey, play.” In an era when teams were often scared to throw the ball, Dickey passed for 6,628 yards and 74 touchdowns in three seasons at Tennessee State. While Dickey was quarterbacking the Tigers, they put together a record of 34-5-1 in four years.

Although two other Black men served as quarterbacks in the NFL, each with one appearance in the position, it was Eldrige Dickey that was the first Black quarterback to be selected in the first round of the January 1968 NFL/AFL Draft, making him the first black quarterback to be taken in the first round of any draft. Eldridge Dickey was the 25th pick in the first round by the Oakland Raiders for the quarterback position. He was signed to a deal worth $150,000 in four years. Prior to that, Charlie Brackens was drafted in the 16th round to the Green Bay Packers from Prairie View A & M University in 1955. Willie Thrower was not drafted but did have a one-year contract with the Chicago Bears.

Shockingly, the Oakland Raiders also chose Ken Stabler, a white player, as the 52nd pick in the 2nd round of the 1968 draft for the same quarterback position. When the 1968 Oakland Raiders roster was released, Ken Stabler was one of three quarterbacks, and Eldridge Dickey was one of six wide receivers.

February 2, 2024 This was a 180 degree change in stance from what Dickey was led to believe during his last year at Tennessee State University. According to the Baltimore Sun (Sept. 2020), Al Davis, then general manager and part owner of the Oakland Raiders, repeatedly came to the university to scout Dickey. When asked

by Coach Merritt if Dickey would get a fair shot at the quarterback position, Davis replied yes.

According to Vance Football Information (2006), complied by NFL writer, researcher and historian Lloyd Vance, many wondered if Davis was looking

came as a blow to a player who at one time told his former coach, Joe Gilliam Sr., that if he couldn’t play quarterback he didn’t want to play. According to the Washington Post, Davis told Dickey that while he would not play quarterback his first year, he could compete for the backup position in future seasons, and was even given a jersey number reserved for quarterbacks, number 10.

Dickey accepted the position hoping for an opportunity to play in the quarterback position.

Ms. LaCanas Casselle, college sweetheart and ex-wife of Dickey, shared on

Eldridge Dickey, then in middle school, talks with his mom and family friends outside of his house. (Courtesy of Malik Rasheed)

Oakland Raider Eldridge Dickey poses for a team-issued trading card in 1969. (Note his position is marked as OE.) (Courtesy of Tennessee State University/ Courtesy of Los Angeles Raiders)

to be a maverick and turn the team over to a Black quarterback or if he saw another athletic Black quarterback that needed to be converted. Other rumors stated that the Raiders wanted to keep Dickey away from their rival, the Kansas City Chiefs, who also had their eye on him. Chiefs Head Coach Hank Stram had been a master at finding gems at historically black colleges during this time as shown by his 1966 Super Bowl I losing squad, which featured HBCU players Emmitt Thomas, Bobby Bell, Fred Williamson and others.

It is also unknown if this decision was influenced by the predominant stereotype at the time that Blacks weren’t intelligent enough to be capable leaders or if it was solely based on Dickey’s athletic ability. Despite the reason, this

Quarterback Karl Douglas watched Dickey in high school and later teamed with him with the Baltimore Colts, where Dickey was a shell of his gregarious former self. (AP)

Genmaspeaks podcast (2014), that she and Dickey both majored in Health and Physical Education and bonded during their college experiences. She was a cheerleader and majorette while Dickey played football. They married in 1966.

Shortly after the 1968 draft, they also experienced the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. together. During that time, Dickey flew to Houston to share those experiences with his mother and flew his wife to Houston. He bought a home for his mother and took his wife on shopping sprees to Neiman Marcus. He wanted them to share in his good fortune.

Dickey’s daughter, Shaun Casselle, shared during her interview on Genmaspeaks that Dickey carried the hopes and dreams of his former coaches and

AFRAMNEWS.COM 3 fellow HBCU football players as well as his own. “He wanted to be the first Black man to start as an NFL quarterback. Not playing in the quarterback position was truly a dream deferred.

America wasn’t ready for him,” lamented Casselle.

Ironically it was Marlin Briscoe, who was taken in the 14th round of the same 1968 draft by the Denver Broncos (AFL) as a defensive back, who broke through as the first black starting quarterback setting Broncos’ rookie records of 1,589 yards passing with 14 touchdowns. Briscoe, too, was later converted to wide receiver after his one season as a quarterback. Briscoe later won two Super Bowl rings with the Miami Dolphins teams of the early 1970’s.

Briscoe, who is credited as being the first black starting quarterback in the NFL, wrote in the book, ‘Third and a Mile: The Trials and Triumph of the Black Quarterback’ that Dickey was “An exceptional athlete, who was too good of a quarterback, at a time when society was not ready for him”.

Briscoe wrote that Dickey came to his apartment when the Raiders played the Broncos in Denver and that he could see that Dickey was despondent over the position change. He said, “You could see from his body language that the position change was not sitting well with him.” Briscoe added “To be honest with you, he should have been the first black quarterback to start.”

What began as a promising NFL career full of hope in 1968, took a turn.

It is believed that the position change affected Dickey’s performance on the field. He made just one catch for 34 yards and 6 punt returns for 48 yards in 11 games in the 1968 season.

John Madden took over as coach of the Oakland raiders in 1969. According to the Washington Post, the night before the Raider’s pre-season game against the Chiefs in Birmingham, Stabler quit the team. This opportunity opened the door for Dickey. The Raider’s planned to let Dickey start the second half of the game, but quarterback Daryle Lamonica hurt his throwing hand in the second quarter. With Stabler watching from the stands, Dickey went in, NFL Crime and wound up running on pg. 4 for a 20-yard touchdown.

4 AFRAMNEWS.COM NFL Crime Cont.

Later in the game he threw three interceptions and fumbled, but kept the Chiefs guessing with his spontaneity.

Dickey went on to connect with wide receiver Rod Sherman in the end zone for a potential game-winning score, but Sherman stepped out of bounds and the Raiders lost 23 – 17. Dickey was praised for scrambling by the Chief ’s coach Stram, but dismissed by the Raider’s coach Madden saying, “We prefer our quarterbacks to drop back and throw the ball.”

Dickey had one other opportunity to play in the quarterback position the next week against Baltimore, throwing for 74 yards and rushing for another 26. However, when Stabler returned in 1970, Dickey was asked to go back to wide receiver for good. His ex-wife Casselle, who separated from Dickey before his time with the Raiders ended,

February 2, 2024 stated “He always felt like, ‘If I can’t play quarterback, there goes my dream.’ It hurt so much. It changed his whole personality.” Dickey began to skip practices and disappeared for two weeks in 1970, the second season in which he never saw the field.

He didn’t play in another game until 1971 where he made four catches for 78 yards with one touchdown and was cut from the team seven games into the season after dropping a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs that could have been a touchdown. It was a huge drop in a 20-20 tie against the Chiefs on Oct. 31, 1971. The Raiders waivered Dickey, but rescinded the waiver request when the Chiefs claimed him. Later, Madden kicked Dickey off the team in December.

The Oakland Raiders traded Dickey to the Baltimore Colts in 1972. The Colts then shipped him to the Kansas City Chiefs. Coach Stram, who twice tried to get Dickey said later, “What

At Tennessee State, Eldridge Dickey, right, became known as “The Lord’s Prayer.”

(Courtesy of Tennessee State University)

happened to Eldridge Dickey has to go down as one of the greatest sports crimes ever committed. The entire sports world was robbed by the Oakland Raiders.” Dickey’s one season with the Chiefs gave him the five years of service needed for his pension.

In an interview with the Kansas City Star, Dickey explained, “Everybody wants to call a man a criminal, but no one asks him why he became one.

When you want something for so long, when you put out and think you have earned it – and then have it taken away from you, your desire dies. Mine did.”

Dickey’s game was more suited for 21st-century football and would have been applauded today. Quoted in the Baltimore Sun, “He would have been a star,” said James (Shack) Harris, who played against Dickey in college and later became the first Black player to start a season at quarterback. “He had pocket awareness and the ability to scramble and

GREATER HOUSTON EDITION run. He was fast. There was nothing that he couldn’t do.”

Recognition escaped Dickey while he was alive, but has occurred over the years. Most recently, Houston ISD included Eldridge Dickey, along with 15 other individuals and a team, into its 2021 inaugural class of the HISD Athletic Hall of Honor. Dickey was also posthumously inducted in the Black College Football Hall of Fame, as well as the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.

His ex-wife, daughter and grandson, Brayden Dickey, were present in Nashville, TN for his induction to the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. Brayden Dickey accepted his grandfather’s Sports Hall of Fame ring on Eldridge Dickey’s behalf.

Eldridge Dickey died on May 22, 2000, at age 54. He is buried at Paradise North Cemetery in Houston, TX.

The 1968 Tennessee State University yearbook features Dickey, the football team’s star quarterback. (Courtesy of Tennessee State University)

GREATER HOUSTON EDITION Byron Cont.

Born to Burnita Diane Shepard, whom he loving called, “Diane”, he is, Byron Lethete Shepard, and this is his story.

On April 26, 1977, the red carpet was rolled out for his debut. It was lights, camera, action; the spotlight was on him from the day he blessed this world with his presence. From that moment, he seized the center stage of life, lived life as it came to him, and lived it to the fullest. As early as age two, he was recognized as exceptional. While most kids his age were waiting around to turn five and head off to kindergarten, Byron was already accepted into Houston ISD. By the age of four, he was already a shining student at T.H. Rogers, and soon became the school’s Ambassador.

He met Superintendents, District Leaders, and Educators from around the globe.

Unlike most kids his age, Byron often started his days off sharing a cup of coffee with his favorite girl, his “Mama”, grandmother Beulah Shepard, who had him super spoiled. It just might have been those morning coffee conversations before school, tagging behind Mama to political events, shaking hands with Judges, Mayors, City and State officials, his favorite being John Whitmire, that made Byron feel at home everywhere he went. However, Mama doesn’t get all the credit. Enjoying an amazing bond with his grand-

February 2, 2024 father, “Pawpaw”, Byron relished their morning trips to Denny’s for breakfast.

Excelling at school, spending time with Mama and Pawpaw, and rubbing elbows with political leaders, all filled Byron’s life with great experiences, but swinging at Lincoln City Park was just as fulfilling for him.

Singing in the choir, ushering on the Usher Board were very special to Byron also. He was baptized at an early age by Pastor J. C. Carrington, at Willing Workers Baptist Church and later became a faithful member of Christ Fellowship Church under Pastor

AFRAMNEWS.COM 5 Edwin G. Deese. He truly had a heart for God, and a zest for life. For Byron, life was one precious adventure after another. His greatest adventure was probably becoming a big brother to his “two babies”, whom he named Ryan and Bryan. He always had the best For more visit time playing with his aunts and uncles, aframnews.com but becoming a big brother

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AFRAMNEWS.COM African-American News&Issues

GREATER HOUSTON EDITION

February 2, 2024

AFRAMNEWS.COM 7

POLITICAL

FAMILY MAN AND ADVOCATE FOR INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY GROWTH Today, we proudly announce Claude Cummings III, as a candidate for Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector.

A devoted family man residing in North Houston with his wife Joaquina, and three lovely children: Jillian Rae (12), Claire Elizabeth (9), Laila Rose (7). Claude is the son of CWA International President, Claude Cummings Jr. and Dr. Ruth Cummings.

Claude Cummings III is currently employed as an Employment Development Manager with Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department. As an Employment Manager, he connects individuals who are involved in

the justice system with community partners and resources to reduce recidivism. Some of those community resources include vocational training, job readiness, and affordable housing.

With a passion for community empowerment, Claude brings a wealth of experience as a community organizer, leader, and an advocate for access to opportunities. His commitment to fostering inclusivity and expanding civic engagement is at the core of his candidacy.

As a candidate for Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector, Claude Cummings III pledges to be a champion of integrating more inclusive approaches.

He envisions a future where the office

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“As your Tax Assessor-Collector, I will work tirelessly to ensure that our community is not only informed and engaged, but also that everyone has equal access to the opportunities available to them.”

Claude Cummings III brings a unique blend of leadership, communitydriven values, and a dedication to service that makes him an outstanding candidate for the position.

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GREATER HOUSTON EDITION

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