#23

[SMU89]

You are correct and posted it first here on Pony Fans........


Chris Banjo

[southerncomfort]

I was slightly sad that nobody was saying anything to my post until somebody else brought it up haha Banjo for sure deserves it though, I think he is very much worthy of the honour.

[SMU89]

From DMN

LeVias honoree named: Sophomore defensive back Chris Banjo of Sugar Land is the first SMU player selected to wear No. 23 in honor of Jerry LeVias, the first black player to receive an athletic scholarship in the Southwest Conference. The honor was announced Thursday at the pairings party for today's inaugural Jerry LeVias Lettermen's Golf Classic at the Golf Club of Dallas.

[SMU89]

SMU's Chris Banjo selected to honor Jerry LeVias
http://smumustangs.cstv.com/sports/m-foo...09aaa.html

Banjo Awarded Number 23
SMU Honors LeVias With Tribute



Banjo Awarded Number 23

April 23, 2009

DALLAS (SMU) - Mustang sophomore-to-be Chris Banjo has been awarded the number "23" for the 2009 season, Head Coach June Jones announced Thursday, April 23, at the Jerry LeVias Lettermen's Golf Classic Pairings Party & Auction in the Hall of Champions. Earlier this year, Jones had announced that starting in 2009, a deserving student-athlete on the SMU football team would be chosen to wear the number "23" on his jersey throughout the season to honor Jerry LeVias for his contributions to America, the sport of football and SMU.

Banjo, a native of Sugar Land, Texas, saw time in all 12 games in 2008, starting the last seven at safety. He ranked fourth on the team with 61 tackles, notching 13 stops at Navy and then registering 12-stop day against Memphis. In the season finale, he intercepted a pass against Southern Miss and returned it 33 yards.

When Jerry LeVias started as an end for SMU in a September 24, 1966, game against Illinois, he forever changed the Southwest Conference. LeVias was the first African-American to receive an athletic scholarship in the SWC. Born in Beaumont, Texas, Jerry had played quarterback for Hebert High School. He was small (5-9, 177 lbs.), but made up for it with his great speed, as evidenced in three touchdown runs of over 70 yards each in a 21-8 victory over rival Booker T. Washington. At SMU, LeVias made athletic and academic All-America teams and contributed to the Mustangs' first SWC title in 18 years. He still holds three SMU records as a receiver - 15 passes caught in one game (Ohio State, 1968), 213 yards in one game (N.C. State, 1968) and 1,131 yards receiving in a season (1968). He was a consensus All-American in 1968 and was chosen All-SWC in 1966, 1967, and 1968. Considered too small for the NFL, LeVias became one of the most exciting players in Houston Oilers history. He caught 41 passes for 529 yards and five touchdowns in 1970 and also returned 25 punts for 213 yards and 26 kickoffs for 596 yards. LeVias set the AFL record in his rookie year for combined punt and kickoff returns with 73 in one season. He caught an AFL-long 86-yard touchdown pass in 1969 and added a 63 yarder in 1970. He was traded to San Diego in 1971 and led the Chargers with 30 catches for 536 yards in 1973. He played for the Chargers through the 1974 season.