SMU signed Jerry LeVias to a football scholarship in 1965 primarily because he was an exceptionally talented athlete with great speed, despite his smaller stature. Here are the key reasons based on available information:
1. **Athletic Talent**: LeVias was known for his explosive speed, which made up for his size. During his high school career, he was versatile, playing quarterback, running back, and defensive back, and had impressive performances, including scoring six touchdowns in a single game.
2. **Integration of the Southwest Conference**: Coach Hayden Fry was instrumental in recruiting LeVias, aiming to integrate the Southwest Conference. LeVias became the first African-American scholarship athlete in the conference, marking a significant step toward racial integration in college football in the South.
3. **Academic Potential**: LeVias was not only an athletic prodigy but also demonstrated academic prowess, which was highlighted as a factor in his recruitment. He later became an Academic All-American at SMU.
4. **Character and Leadership**: LeVias' character, fortitude, and ability to handle the significant social challenges of integration were recognized by Coach Fry, who saw him as the ideal candidate to navigate the complexities of being a pioneer in an era of racial segregation.
5. **Vision of Coach Hayden Fry**: Hayden Fry had a vision for SMU football that extended beyond athletic success. His recruitment of LeVias was part of a broader strategy to elevate SMU's status in college football, showcasing his commitment to both sports and social change.
This decision was met with significant adversity, including racial abuse directed at LeVias, but it also highlighted SMU's role in advancing racial equality in college sports. LeVias' signing was a landmark moment in the history of college football, contributing to the eventual integration of the sport across the region.
Our history makes us a blue blood, this may be the greatest.
