Unofficial 2012 #23 jersey nominations

[ojaipony]

From what little I've heard/seen about McJunkin he would certainly fit the character criteria no doubt.

[smuuth]

#23 I would say Line if he wanted it. Has anyone said what #23 should represent or is it up to June? I would recommend it be for someone who represents what Levias stood for...and that is not just being a black player who faced obstacles of racism. I would say it should go to what a student-athlete should be.....a STUDENT-athlete of high morale character who is a team guy. In other words it doesn't have to be a star or even a starter but someone who takes his academics and athletics seriously and tries to do things right. Having kids out of wedlock, drugs, cheating, suspensions should not be part of player profile. I wouldn't award number but honor players at banquet with Levias Award for a player who has overcome obstacles to succeed on and off the field, Dandy Don award for top QB, Doak/Rote award for top rb, Forrest Gregg award for top lineman.....etc

[Bergermeister]

Z. Line would be a great one for the honor. Heart and soul of the offense - hard worker, hard nose runner. It would be strange to see him in a different number though...

I'd vote for D. Johnson. I think, in his last season, Zach will make "48" legendary. After 3 seasons, shouldn't be saddled with a hand-me-down number for his senior year.

[Stallion]

"I would recommend it be for someone who represents what Levias stood for...and that is not just being a black player who faced obstacles of racism. I would say it should go to what a student-athlete should be.....a STUDENT-athlete of high morale character who is a team guy."

LeVias did stand for generations of black kids who were never given the OPPORTUNITY to get a quality education at Southern and more particularly Texas Colleges and universities. He stood for them because the rest were EXCLUDED from Southern/Texas institutions and LeVias' success both on and off the Football field helped erase ignorant sterotypes which fostered racism. Please don't water this award down by making it just another MVP/Spirit/Morality/Academic Award. You miss the point if you dilute that aspect of the award. SMU should be proud to spotlight its role in achieving racial justice and integration of all segments of people into American society. Now you nominate a white guy who has contributed to that then fine-I'm not discounting that possibility.

[ojaipony]

"I would recommend it be for someone who represents what Levias stood for...and that is not just being a black player who faced obstacles of racism. I would say it should go to what a student-athlete should be.....a STUDENT-athlete of high morale character who is a team guy."

LeVias did stand for generations of black kids who were never given the OPPORTUNITY to get a quality education at Southern and more particularly Texas Colleges and universities. He stood for them because the rest were EXCLUDED from Southern/Texas institutions and LeVias' success both on and off the Football field helped erase ignorant sterotypes which fostered racism. Please don't water this award down by making it just another MVP/Spirit/Morality/Academic Award. You miss the point if you dilute that aspect of the award. SMU should be proud to spotlight its role in achieving racial justice and integration of all segments of people into American society. Now you nominate a white guy who has contributed to that then fine-I'm not discounting that possibility.

Well said, completely agree.

[PerunaDontCare]

"I would recommend it be for someone who represents what Levias stood for...and that is not just being a black player who faced obstacles of racism. I would say it should go to what a student-athlete should be.....a STUDENT-athlete of high morale character who is a team guy."

LeVias did stand for generations of black kids who were never given the OPPORTUNITY to get a quality education at Southern and more particularly Texas Colleges and universities. He stood for them because the rest were EXCLUDED from Southern/Texas institutions and LeVias' success both on and off the Football field helped erase ignorant sterotypes which fostered racism. Please don't water this award down by making it just another MVP/Spirit/Morality/Academic Award. You miss the point if you dilute that aspect of the award. SMU should be proud to spotlight its role in achieving racial justice and integration of all segments of people into American society. Now you nominate a white guy who has contributed to that then fine-I'm not discounting that possibility.

This right here. There are already a million MVP type awards. #23 means a lot more than all of those. Back when Texas Monthly ran that article about why Texas football is great, one of their top reasons was "Because #23 at SMU has never been retired"