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I was a freshman and he was a senior. He was the most exciting college player I ever saw. I saw him two years ago at home coming attending PigSkin review. He is close with the Mustang Band. He looked fantastic. Lean and looked like he could still show some evasive moves on the field. I had no idea that he was tormented to this extend. I am so happy he has continued to be involved with SMU.

Thank you Stallion for sharing this with us. Jerry may not have been the greatest player in SMU history, but it sure wont take long to get to his name. I had the privilege of attending SMU at the same time Jerry was there. He has a great sense of humor and while some of his teammates and our fellow students mistreated him others loved him both on and off the field. I take great pride in the fact that MY UNIVERSITY broke the color barrier. God Bless you Jerry.

This sounds like a very interesting and riveting story. I look forward to the release of the book.

Who knows, maybe Thad can turn it into a movie now that he's an industry insider in the movie biz.

Thanks for sharing that, Stallion. One of my earliest SMU memories was the 1968 Bluebonnet Bowl ...love Jerry.

I read, a couple of years ago, about all the stuff he endured in order to play at SMU---security at games, threats of attempts on his life at games, etc. I remember going as a young girl and seeing him play. He is a great man and a class act!

I saw almost every varsity game Jerry played in at SMU. He and Mike Richardson probably were the two people who contributed most to the the success of the teams in 66, 67 and 68. The game I remember most for Levias' exploits was the comeback against Texas A&M in 1967 at College Station. In the fourth quarter Levias was unstoppable and scored the winning touchdown with another impossible catch in the back of the end zone. The pass was thrown by Ines Perez, the third team barely over five feet tall QB.

not too many teenagers could have endured that kind of abuse...and hung in the way he did. I sure hope he's heard some sincere apologies since that time.

I recorded the story a couple of years ago from fox sports, great story

about a great Mustang.

As someone who shared meals with the FB team in the basement of Letterman Hall, I recall Jerry when he first arrived. I was a year ahead of him. Perhaps I was (and am) naive, but the abuse was not self evident to me. As a non-Texan, it didn't occur to me that this climate of racism existed, much less any expressions of dislike.

Jerry had an infectious smile and presence. I attended every game and there was a pride among my friends in his accomplishments and the team's success. Perhaps he will enjoy some peace and that his pain and trials helped create a better life for us all.

BTW, a special thanks to Hayden Fry, who understood the challenges and supported Jerry. It would have been easier to avoid the conflict in the first place

Pony Up!