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....had some old buds in town this weekend, all Ponies. We got to discussing the good old days, and decided that the punt return is our favorite play in football. Thus, we broke out the media guide thinking Doak and or DK Perry / Simmons were the best ever....but, who was Kris Silverthorn?? 443 punt return yards in '72, with 2 TD's, 14 yd avg.....who was this guy? Any memories / stories? Wish I could have seen him play......long live Atthur Whittington.

went to Dallas Hillcrest I believe-missed his senior year to pursue Pro Baseball career.

He went to Thomas Jefferson in Dallas. Older than me but he lived about 5 houses down from me growing up. Same team at TJ but a year behind was Rory Best who played tight end for SMU from 70-74. TJ also produced a kid named Michael Cater, who ended up being a pretty good player for us.

that's right. OK its been 35 years but I knew he was local. Oh and we forgot to mention that I believe-the 35 year qualification-that he led the Nation in Punt Returns as a Junior.

If I remember correctly, we had some pretty bad early season opponents that year and he racked up some big yards early and I think he had a big day against the Frogs and Bears. I still think Arthur Whittington was the most exciting returner during my tenure. Against Rice and Arkansas my senior year, he saved the game for us with his returns.

Kris was not built like your average punt returner. A little stockier than what you normally see, but not heavy. He did not play, at least on a regular basis while I was there. I want to say he was 2 years behind but maybe just 1. His big year was the year after I left (1972). Very nice guy and fun to be around.

BTW H to L, did Levias come up in the conversation? I remember he was pretty good at punt returns.

If not me then....

Hands down the best punt returner ever is JEFF PENNINGTON!!!!!

I saw this 80 something yard runback in person to beat A$M in
66 21 - 14 enroute to the 66 SWC championship. It was during my
third SMU game to see as a kid of a 1950 SMU graduate. LeVias later
added a 100 yard kickoff return against Baylor.

Also saw Silverthorn during my first year at SMU. Think I remember
a Hi Ho Silver cheer.

fake

That's "Hi-Yo Silver" (the HiHo is a dance club on Jefferson St. in Grand Prairie)