DEFENDER
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Shelby County Commissioners discuss alternatives to fund jail repairs
By James Coleman Special to The Tri-State Defender
Shelby County Commissioners rejected a proposed $15.5 million funding resolution, as they search for a path forward to cover the costs of repairs to the aging Shelby County Jail during the Monday, Sept. 9 meeting.
“We’re dealing with a jail inspection that’s coming up probably next week. And probably again in the spring.”
e long list of x-ups include new cell doors. Additionally, the jail’s access control system was damaged during a March power surge. As a result, safety conditions in the 2,000-plus inmate facility have degraded.
commission approval. e problems don’t stop at the doors. A new walk-in freezer, along with HVAC system and lighting xture repairs are needed.
“We can de nitely meet the Dec. 31, 2024 deadline. We should have that to you within a month,” said SCSO Chief Administrative O cer Alicia Lindsey.
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Members agreed to explore an alternative to Amber Mills’ proposal on a 7-6 vote. Instead the slim majority dri ed towards a fork in the road, which includes using funds earmarked for a new mental health facility to treat struggling inmates.
“I would love to have another week to look at this and see if there’s anything at the jail, where maybe another $3 million, where maybe we can change this thing to from $15.5 million to $18.5 million and put all that money towards the jail,” said David Bradford.
e proposal would use capital improvement project dollars intended for the facility. If it passes, it could further delay another big ticket project – the proposed $750 million Regional One hospital campus.
e latter project is currently on hold as Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris seeks additional funding. Last year, his e orts to jawbone state o cials into matching funds failed.
Still, a sense of urgency exists as the county attempts to head o a looming state inspection of the jail – and its potential consequences – o at the pass.
e Tennessee Corrections Institute (TCI) is expected to scrutinize 201 Poplar Avenue next week.
Furthermore, as conditions continue to deteriorate, concerns about sta and inmate safety continue to grow too.
In past years, the Shelby County Sheri ’s O ce has paid for jail repairs through its annual budget.
“We tried to alleviate the problem going through our budget again, However, the number’s just too big,” said Shelby County Sheri Floyd Bonner.
“Will we have the doors xed next week? No. But, you know what, I will feel awfully good with TCI if we have a path forward…if we had a path,” said Bonner.
e sheri ’s department has already spent more than $5 million on repairs. It includes $1.5 million for 184 new doors. Another 502 doors would be replaced through a second contract. Any expenditure over $50,000 requires
“We want to support the sheri to provide him with the necessary tools to get past TCI. We also believe erecting this mental health facility is a game changer for Shelby County government. It can reduce costs as well,” said Shelby County CAO Harold Collins.
But, there was no mention of reimbursing the sheri ’s o ce for the $5 million already spent on repairs.
by The Tri-State Defender
President Calvin Anderson Interim Editor Lee Eric Smith
Harris Dominates First Presidential Debate as Trump Struggles to Defend Record
By Stacy Brown NNPA Newswire
Vice President Kamala Harris decisively took control of the rst presidential debate against former President Donald Trump in Philadelphia on Tuesday night, delivering a performance that put Trump on the defensive for much of the evening.
Moderators David Muir and Linsey Davis of ABC News kept a tight handle on the debate, signi cantly improving from CNN’s June handling of Trump and incumbent Joe Biden, then the Democratic nominee.
e debate began with a surprise as Harris approached Trump to shake his hand and introduced herself as “Kamala Harris,” an unusual move that set the tone for the night. Trump’s trademark scowl stayed in place throughout the debate, as Harris pressed him on his legal woes and diminished his record.
Displaying her prosecutorial skills, Harris consistently turned the conversation toward Trump’s convictions, his business fraud case, and his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Harris positioned herself as a problem-solver, taking on issues like housing, child care, and the economy. In her opening statement, she outlined her “opportunity economy” plan, which focuses on bolstering the middle class.
“I was raised as a middle-class kid, and I am actually the only person on this stage who has a plan that is about li ing up the middle class and working people of America,” Harris said. She detailed a $6,000 child tax credit as part of her plan to support young families.
Trump, by contrast, criticized the Biden-Harris economy, calling it “the worst period of time” he had seen. He defended his tari policies and took aim at Harris, labeling her a “Marxist” while also accusing her of copying his economic policies.
“I was going to send her a MAGA hat,” Trump quipped.
Abortion rights were another major focus of the night. Trump, when asked if he would veto a federal abortion ban, declined to answer directly, stating, “I won’t have to,” and arguing that the end of Roe v. Wade had satis ed everyone. Harris, in turn, vowed to restore Roe’s protections through federal legislation if elected.
“I pledge to you: When Congress passes a bill to put back in place the protections of Roe v. Wade as president of the United States, I will proudly sign it into law,” she said.
As the debate went on, Trump repeated several conspiracy theories, including a claim that migrants were
eating pets in U.S. cities, which Muir quickly fact-checked. Trump doubled down, citing “people on television” as his source. Harris largely let Trump’s more outlandish statements pass, opting to stay on policy while allowing the moderators to address his factually inaccurate remarks.
In one of the most heated moments, Harris invited viewers to attend a Trump rally for themselves, commenting, “He talks about ctional characters like Hannibal Lecter and windmills causing cancer. You’ll notice people start leaving his rallies early — out of exhaustion and boredom.”
Trump, visibly irritated, retorted that he holds “the most incredible rallies in
the history of politics,” but the debate soon returned to more substantive issues like crime and in ation.
e night clearly contrasted Biden’s earlier debate with Trump, as Harris managed to keep Trump on the defensive. Trump continued to xate on conspiracy theories and past grievances, while Harris stayed focused on presenting her vision for the future. With fewer than 60 days until the election, the debate set the tone for what will likely be a hard-fought campaign. As the debate ended, Harris closed with a message to the American people: “ is is about who we are as a country. e choice is clear — between chaos and leadership, fear and hope.”
During an exchange about abortion Kamala Harris said, “The majority of Americans believe in the a woman’s right to make decisions about her own body. And that is why in every state where this issue has been on the ballot in red and blue states both the people of America have voted for freedom.” (screen capture)
Officers pummeled Tyre Nichols because he fled, a form of ‘run tax,’ prosecutor says
Associated Press
ree former Memphis police o cers charged in the January 2023 beating death of Tyre Nichols stood by his body and laughed a er they punched, kicked and struck him with a baton in an attack that a prosecutor says was punishment because he tried to run away.
e former o cers are standing trial accused of federal civil rights violations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Rogers said during opening statements Wednesday that the o cers were punishing Nichols for eeing a tra c stop. She used the term “run tax” — police slang for disciplining a subject who tries to escape.
Rogers said the force they used did not match Nichols’ actions. She warned jurors they would see videos of the beating, including some that were publicly released weeks a er Nichols died.
She also said o cers just stood around during the “crucial” minutes when Nichols’ heart stopped, when they could have helped him.
“You won’t see Tyre Nichols pose a threat to these o cers at any time,” Rogers said.
Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith have pleaded not guilty to charges that they deprived the 29-year-old of his rights through excessive force and failure to intervene, and obstructed justice through witness tampering. Two others, Emmitt Martin III and Desmond Mills Jr., have already pleaded guilty to the federal charges. Rogers said Martin and Mills will testify.
Bean’s lawyer, John Keith Perry, said during opening statements that Nichols drove 2 miles (3 kilometers) a er the o cers put their blue lights on to stop him, did not comply with orders to give them his hands, and was “ ghting like
“Our hope is that they’re found guilty and to show the world that my son was a good person and he wasn’t the criminal that they’re trying to make him out to be.”
— RowVaughn Wells
hell.” Perry said sky cop camera video would show Nichols acting suspiciously and evidence would show the o cers are not guilty.
“ e narrative you hear here will take you ve minutes to deliberate on,” Perry said.
Nichols, who was Black, died Jan. 10, 2023, three days a er the beating. Police video shows the ve o cers charged, who also are Black, beating Nichols as he yells for his mother about a block from her home. Video also shows the o cers milling about and talking as Nichols struggles with his injuries.
“ ey stood by his dying body and laughed,” Rogers said.
Rogers said the o cers were angry Nichols ed and that the pepper spray they used during the tra c stop had a ected them too. ey talked about hitting Nichols with “so many pieces”
and “straight haymakers,” which is slang for punches, Rogers said.
e o cers said Nichols was pulled over for reckless driving, but Memphis’ police chief has said there is no evidence to substantiate that claim. Rogers said Martin saw Nichols’ car speed up to beat a red light and o cers tried to stop him.
An autopsy report shows Nichols died from blows to the head and that the manner of death was homicide. e report describes brain injuries, and cuts and bruises on his head and other areas.
Haley’s lawyer, Michael Stengel, said during his opening statements that the tra c stop became “high risk” because Nichols didn’t quickly pull over, then stopped in a turning lane. When Haley pulled Nichols from the car, Haley told Nichols to “let go” of his gun, Stengel said.
Stengel said Haley, who was washing pepper spray from his eyes, arrived on the scene of the beating a er the other o cers had already hit Nichols several times.
Haley kicked Nichols once in the upper arm then called for an ambulance, Stengel said. Haley also took a photo of the injured Nichols and sent it to a few people, which Stengel said was “wrong” but “not a federal crime.”
Martin Zummach, Smith’s lawyer, told jurors Smith called for the re department, asked Nichols if he was
all right and noted he appeared to be struggling for oxygen. Zummach said the night “was full of choices.”
Nichols “chose to speed, to run, to argue, to push back, to pull back, to hide,” Zummach said.
Zummach said Smith will testify in his own defense.
All ve o cers belonged to the now disbanded Scorpion Unit crime suppression team and were red for violating Memphis Police Department policies.
ey were also charged with second-degree murder in state court, where they pleaded not guilty, although Mills and Martin are expected to change their pleas. A trial date in state court has not been set.
Rachael Love, a nurse practitioner, testi ed Wednesday that Nichols had no pulse for 25 minutes until it was restored at the hospital. A prolonged lack of a pulse means a patient could be su ering from a lack of oxygen to organs, including the brain.
Nichols mother saw her injured son in a hospital ICU bed, “took a few steps, screamed and collapsed,” Love said.
Nichols worked for FedEx, enjoyed skateboarding and photography, and was the father of a boy who is now 7 years old.
His family, their legal team and supporters prayed outside the courthouse during a break Wednesday a ernoon.
“Our hope is that they’re found guilty and to show the world that my son was a good person and he wasn’t the criminal that they’re trying to make him out to be,” RowVaughn Wells, Nichols’ mother, told reporters.
(Associated Press reporter Jonathan Mattise contributed from Nashville, Tennessee.)
Tadarrius Bean
Demetrius Haley
Justin Smith
Tyre Nichols
Healthier 901 Fest at Shelby Farms celebrates and challenges weight loss
The Healthier 901 Fest, held at Shelby Farms Park recently, was a resounding success, celebrating health, wellness, and community engagement.
Sponsored by Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare and supported by major local partners, the event attracted attendees of all ages for a day lled with tness activities, health screenings, and entertainment. With a focus on encouraging healthy habits across the Mid-South, the festival o ered everything from Zumba classes to cooking demonstrations by local chefs. e energetic atmosphere was further enhanced by live performances, vendor booths o ering wellness products, and interactive zones where participants could learn more about tness and nutrition. Methodist Le Bonheur CEO, Michael Ugwueke, took the stage to emphasize the importance of community health, while various local personalities helped engage the crowd throughout the day.
TSD photojournalist Gary S. Whitlow was on hand to catch some images . . . check them out!
Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare CEO Michael Ugwueke addresses the crowd, emphasizing the significance of collective efforts to improve the Mid-South’s health outcomes.
Attendees enjoy fresh juice samples at one of the many vendor booths focused on health and wellness at Healthier 901 Fest.
Ariana Poindexter and weathercaster Patrick Ellis from WMC Action News 5 energize the crowd as they cohost a segment at Healthier 901 Fest.
Attendees take part in a dance session, embodying the spirit of active living encouraged throughout the Healthier 901 Fest. (Photos: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises/The Tri-State Defender)
By Terry Davis Special to The Tri-State Defender
e Southern Heritage Classic is upon us once again. e annual event is more than just a game; it’s an experience. is is the second year that the Tigers from Tennessee State will face the Golden Lions of the University of Arkansas Pine Blu .
e Lions enter the game with a 1-1 record, having su ered a 70-0 loss to the University of Arkansas and bouncing back with a 73-0 win over Miles College. UAPB is seeking revenge from last year’s 24-14 loss to TSU.
Terry Davis
Alonzo Hampton, in his second season as head coach for the Lions, looks to improve on last season’s 2-9 record. Hampton, a former defensive back at ULM from 1993-96, returned to coach at his alma mater.
O ensive linemen Jamerious Austin (6’1”, 320 lbs.) and Rolando Jones (Southwind High), freshman Zach Williams (Briarcrest High), and wide receiver Kylon Dupree (Southwind) are the Memphians on the team. Hampton on the key to success in the SHC: “For us, it is to win the line of scrimmage. TSU’s o ensive and defensive lines are really good. We’ve got some players that can match their guys. Our quarterback is playing at a high level, and our defense is improving.”
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“I am extremely happy. Memphis is a strong footprint for our recruiting grounds and helps us establish relationships. It’s great for our alumni base. It’s like going home, so to speak.”
— Eddie George
GAME PREVIEW: UAPB seeks revenge over TSU in Southern Heritage Classic rematch
On facing Tennessee State, Hampton added, “We’re con dent that we can compete against FCS football teams. We played this team last year and had an opportunity to win the game; we just didn’t get it done. We’re excited. e Southern Heritage Classic, it doesn’t get much better than this.”
Tennessee State, familiar with the trek from Nashville to Memphis, is also 1-1 on the season, having defeated Mississippi Valley State and lost to North Dakota State. Head coach Eddie George and his Tigers are gearing up for another Classic.
Draylen Ellis from Olive Branch will lead the Tigers as starting quarterback. Other Memphians on the team include former University of Memphis QB Tevin Carter, defensive lineman Cameron Blaylock (White Station), and defensive back Jordan Helton (senior). Additional Memphis natives on the roster include QB George Hamsley (MUS), WR Snap Reed (Bartlett), RB Craig Cunningham (Lausanne), OL Saidou Ba (Pure), OL Kennedy Wilbert (Middle College), DL Meonta Kimbrough (Overton), DL Terence Carpenter II, LB David Milburn (Bartlett), and LB Scotty Roddy (KIPP).
Eddie George, in his fourth season as head coach, spoke about playing other historically black colleges: “We are an HBCU, and we love playing other HBCU schools. It is part of the culture. is is our second year playing Arkansas Pine Blu . I thought we were very successful. It is great for the brands of black college football.”
On the Southern Heritage Classic’s importance, George added, “I am
extremely happy. Memphis is a strong footprint for our recruiting grounds and helps us establish relationships. It’s great for our alumni base. It’s like going home, so to speak.”
e Lions have been hard to gauge due to the results of their rst two games. George, on reviewing game lm, said, “We’ll look at the lm from
last year to see what their tendencies are. We’ll also look at their last three games from this season to get a better gauge.”
ere are many events leading up to the big game, which can be found at southernheritageclassic.com. e game will kick o at 6 p.m., but tailgating will begin much earlier.
By Lee Eric Smith Interim Editor
The funny thing about making history is: More o en than not, when you’re in the moment — you don’t know you’re making history. at’s true everywhere, including here in Memphis. Gamble and Hu were just trying to make hit records at Stax, man, not music history. Local insurance icons Fred Davis and Pete Mitchell were just trying to stay in business, and ended up doing historic business.
For Fred Jones Jr., back in 1990, he just wanted to put on a big event to prove a point: at Memphis could do a big event and do it well. And in the process, he’s made history.
With the Southern Heritage Classic set to kick o its 35th anniversary game this weekend, the impact and history of the Classic is on display now at the National Civil Rights Museum. Jones and his team worked with the museum to curate memorabilia and memories of an event that started as a football game and has become a citywide celebration of black collegiate culture.
Even now, the event has its obstacles and challenges — this year, Simmons Liberty Bank Stadium is undergoing renovation. But if Jones is stressed, he won’t let you see him sweat.
I sat down with Jones last week to look back at it all, and ahead to what’s to come. In our chat, edited for length and clarity, Jones re ected on the range of challenges the Classic has come through, and how much longer he sees himself doing it.
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Fred Jones Jr. still having fun with Classic 35 years in
Lee Eric Smith: A er 35 years of doing this, I imagine the Southern Heritage Classic runs pretty smoothly, but I’m sure there are always challenges. How do you handle the details that come with such a large event?
Fred Jones: You know, I always give you my illustration of it: you see a duck on a pond, just moving around, nothing seems to be happening, but if you could take a picture under the water, that duck is paddling away. I don’t need for people on the outside to see all the things going on behind the scenes. e devil is in the details, and that just comes with the territory. Some parts are smooth, but things happen, and you have to make adjustments or pivot quickly. It’s part of running a big event like this. We’ve been down this road before, and there’s nothing we haven’t dealt with—9/11, Katrina, COVID, even when lightning struck and canceled the game. You need a strong organization, and I’m blessed to have people who’ve been with the Classic for over 30 years. ey don’t panic when challenges come up; we just deal with it.
Lee Eric Smith: What’s it been like working with UAPB now a er having Jackson State involved for so long?
Fred Jones: Jackson State was with us for about 30 years, and that’s a long time for a relationship. You don’t move from one relationship to another overnight, even though the transition has been relatively smooth. Jackson State vs. Tennessee State was a national rivalry, and that had been around for a long time—even before the Classic. But when it comes to HBCU football, whether it’s the hal ime show with the bands or the h quarter, that rivalry and camaraderie, it stays intact.
Lee Eric Smith: Do you see the same enthusiasm from UAPB fans as you did from Jackson State fans?
Fred Jones: Well, Jackson State is a bigger school than UAPB—the numbers show that. But one thing about
HBCUs, regardless of size, is the erce loyalty of their alumni. Whether it’s a small school like Morehouse or a bigger one like Jackson State, that loyalty is there. UAPB alums are already connected to Memphis. is is one of their
This portrait of Fred Jones, Jr. was given to him by a fan of the Southern Heritage Classic who loves the event so much he had to pay tribute with art.
prime recruiting areas, so the transition wasn’t like, “Who are these people, where’d they come from?” ey were already established here, which made it a smooth transition.
Lee Eric Smith: A er all these years, do you still nd excitement in putting on the Classic?
Fred Jones: Oh yeah. You never really stop doing it. I’ve learned how not to operate at breakneck speed all the time. When the event is right in front of you, you’re all out, but once the game is over, you still have work to do. ere’s a week or ten days a er each Classic where you’re bringing everything down, but you’re always working on the future. Even when this year’s Classic ends, you immediately start planning for the next one.
Lee Eric Smith: e Southern Heritage Classic has become such a tradition. Do you hear a lot of “Classic
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“Things happen, and you have to make adjustments or pivot quickly,” said SHC Founder Fred Jones Jr. from his Memphis home. “It’s part of running a big event like this. (Our team) has been down this road before, and there’s nothing we haven’t dealt with.” (Photos: Lee Eric Smith/Tri-State Defender)
stories” from fans?
Fred Jones: Oh, absolutely. e Classic has become a family institution. You’ll see people bringing their kids, and then those kids grow up, and now they’re bringing their own families. People plan for it every year, and they’ve got their Classic stories— everything from reunions to parties. I’ve even heard people say, “Don’t get married on the weekend of the Classic!” It’s become a part of the fabric of this community.
Lee Eric Smith: HBCU sports, in general, have been getting a lot more attention lately. More TV, and I know there’s a streaming deal with HBCU GO. Ten years ago, even 15 years ago, HBCUs weren’t as mainstream as they are now. How has that impacted the Classic? Has the Classic helped contribute to that popularity?
Fred Jones: Well, I think we’ve
HBCU
GO is doing a college game day event in association with the Classic this year, and Memphis will be the first one they’re doing live. It’ll be on Saturday, the 14th at 11 a.m. Central Time.
— Fred Jones
helped move that along because we had some consistency. We knew every year in September that the event, the school, the game was going to happen. We worked from all the way back when BET was doing it—BET, Sports South, and it’s called something else now—but they worked with us, and they elevated the platform. e big thing was that
people knew the game was happening every year. ere wasn’t any question about whether we were going to play, and that helped a lot. Working with BET back in the day and now with HBCU GO, the brand has grown.
Lee Eric Smith: Speaking of HBCU GO, what’s new for this year?
Fred Jones: HBCU GO is doing a college game day event in association with the Classic this year, and Memphis will be the rst one they’re doing live. It’ll be on Saturday, the 14th at 11 a.m. Central Time. Obviously, that brings a whole other set of things to deal with this year, but it’s exciting to see this level of attention on the Classic and HBCUs in general.
Lee Eric Smith: What do you think has made the Southern Heritage Classic last so long?
Fred Jones: From the very beginning, we wanted to create a mechanism where the game would be consistent year in and year out. at consistency has helped the Classic grow. People always ask, “Aren’t you worried people will get burned out on it?” But what’s happened is that the Classic has become a family institution. People plan for it every year, and it’s become part of their lives.
Lee Eric Smith: A er 35 years, do you ever think about stepping away?
Fred Jones: When it’s time to go, I’ll know. My father gave me that advice: “You’ll know when to let it go.” As long as I have the energy and passion for it, I’ll keep going. But when I can’t mentally or physically handle it anymore, I’ll walk away. e Classic will go on, though—it’s bigger than me. What drives the Classic are the fans and the people who support it.
Lee Eric Smith: What’s it like to see the Southern Heritage Classic featured in an exhibition at the National Civil Rights Museum?
Fred Jones: It’s humbling. I grew up here, and I remember running around the Lorraine Motel as a kid. To now have the story of the Classic told at the Civil Rights Museum is something special. It’s a big moment, and it feels like an acknowledgment of all the work we’ve done over the years.
By Terry Davis Special to The Tri-State Defender
Tony Pollard has been a fan favorite and media darling since he began playing for the Dallas Cowboys a er being dra ed from the University of Memphis. When the Memphis Tigers played in the Cotton Bowl, all of his former teammates took pictures of his locker at AT&T Stadium, the site of the game.
Pollard was dra ed in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Dra and played the last ve seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. is o season, he signed a one-year contract with the Tennessee Titans.
“I am grateful for the opportunity,” Pollard said of the latest chapter of his career. “I’m just blessed to be able to do what I do for a living. I attack every day humbly and just work for everything. So that’s our whole mindset for the team.”
In his Titans debut on Sept. 8, Pollard rushed for 82 yards on 16 carries, including a 26-yard touchdown in the rst quarter. Despite Pollard’s strong performance, the Titans lost 24-17 to the Chicago Bears a er blowing a 17-point lead.
Pollard rushed for 3,621 yards with 23 touchdowns and averaged 4.75 yards per carry during his time with Dallas. He also proved versatile out of the back eld, recording 176 receptions for 1,319 yards and 5 touchdowns. Pollard’s new contract with the Titans is a 3-year, $21 million deal, with $10 million guaranteed. e transition back to Tennessee has been seamless for Pollard. On moving closer to home, he said, “It has been very smooth. I just felt like home. I felt like where I belong.”
Pollard has been on a playo team
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Tony Pollard and the Titans Look For A Better Future
“I was born in Memphis, played for the University of Memphis, and now I am playing for the Tennessee Titans. It is truly a blessing.
— Tony Pollard
every year during his time in Dallas, and he hopes to help the Titans return to the playo s.
Pollard isn’t the only new face. New head coach Brian Callahan spent the last four seasons as the o ensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals, and he hopes to bring that success to Tennessee with new signal caller Will Levis, who replaces last season’s starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill.
Pollard believes his postseason experience can bene t his teammates.
“(It’s) just knowing what it takes to get there and joining with other guys who have been around the league and to Super Bowls,” Pollard said. “I take those experiences and combine them together, as a whole, and go from there.”
Pollard and the new-look Tennessee Titans will now look to rebound in their home opener against the New York Jets on Sunday, September 15, at noon at Titans Stadium.
As a product of Orange Mound, Pollard has always received warm receptions when mentioned on the jumbotron at Memphis Tigers games. He’s frequently highlighted in the team’s recruiting pitches.
“It is a loving feeling knowing that the city has got your back,” he said. “I was born in Memphis, played for the University of Memphis, and now I am playing for the Tennessee Titans. It is truly a blessing.
“God put me here for a reason,” Pollard continued. “I am trying my best to be the best version of myself while I am here, with the talent He has blessed me with.”
Once unheralded, Tony Pollard Jr. seized his opportunity when it came with the Memphis Tigers and has been literally running ever since. After a five year run with the Dallas Cowboys, Pollard is in his first season with the Tennessee Titans. (File photo)
Tony Pollard