Forrest Gregg honored in Sulphur Springs

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

I thought there was a thread on this a while back but I couldn't find it. It would be great if he could stop by an SMU practice while he is in the area...

http://www.wfaa.com/sports/Hall-of-Fame ... 39711.html

The East Texas town of Sulphur Springs welcomed back a hero on Monday. Pro Football Hall of Famer Forrest Gregg received a standing ovation when he entered the civic center.

He was honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Hometown Hall of Famers program, paying tribute to football's greatest players.

[Mexmustang]

Thanks for posting...

[PonyPride]

Here's SMUMustangs.com's preview of the event:

Forrest Gregg To Be Honored As Part Of HOF Hometown Heroes Program

April 4, 2013

Canton, Ohio (SMU) - SMU Hall of Famer and pro football legend Forrest Gregg will be recognized by the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Allstate Insurance Company in Sulphur Springs, Texas, on Monday, April 8, as part of "Hometown Hall of Famers," a national program honoring the hometown roots of the sport's greatest coaches, players, and contributors with special ceremonies and plaque dedication events in local communities.

"'Hometown Hall of Famers' has been warmly embraced by communities and Hall of Famers alike," said George Veras, Pro Football Hall of Fame Enterprises president and CEO. "We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Allstate to bring the Pro Football Hall of Fame to communities across the country and congratulate Forrest Gregg and Sulphur Springs High School on bringing a piece of the Pro Football Hall of Fame to Sulphur Springs."

Gregg, a former high school standout at Sulphur Springs High School, will be presented with his "Hometown Hall of Famer" plaque during a special ceremony at 2:45 p.m. CT on Monday, April 8, at the Hopkins County Civic Center. The plaque will live permanently at Sulphur Springs High School to serve as an inspiration for the school's students and athletes. The presentation will be made by Karen Spehar, Gregg's daughter, and local radio personality, Bill Bradford.

The ceremony will be attended by Sulphur Springs High School students, faculty, staff, alumni and Gregg's family members and close friends. Mike Lamb Superintendent of Sulphur Springs Independent School District will serve as the Master of Ceremonies.

In addition to the plaque, a commemorative Forrest Gregg "Hometown Hall of Famer" road sign will be on display in Sulphur Springs.

After high school, Gregg went on to play football on the Hilltop, lettering 1953-1955, before starting his NFL career. He later returned to SMU as head football coach (1989-90) and athletic director (1990-94) and was inducted into SMU's Athletic Hall of fame in 2008.

Gregg was a second-round draft pick of the Green Bay Packers in the 1956 NFL Draft. Gregg earned an "iron-man" tag by playing in a then league record 188 consecutive games from 1956 until 1971. As the Packers grew in stature in the 1960s, so too did Gregg. He was a key player on the Packers dynasty that won five NFL championships and two Super Bowls in the 1960s. He also won All-NFL acclaim eight straight years from 1960 through 1967, was selected to play in nine Pro Bowls and was heralded by Head Coach Vince Lombardi as "the finest player I ever coached." Gregg spent his final season with the Super Bowl-bound Dallas Cowboys and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Here's SMUMustangs.com's preview of the event:

Yeah - that's where I saw it.

It's nice to know he is able to still get around a bit. Talk about one of the all-time greats...

[well travelled pony]

Mr. Gregg is possibly one of the greatest men/athlete/Mustangs I have ever met. I am proud of his accomplishments and thankful he is a SMU man.

Go Ponies!

[Scoops]

Mr. Gregg is possibly one of the greatest men/athlete/Mustangs I have ever met. I am proud of his accomplishments and thankful he is a SMU man.

Go Ponies!

Agree 100%.