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Stephon Sanders has been awarded #23 for 2012, honoring Jerry LeVias, the first African-American scholarship player in the SWC.

I think it is a really perfect choice. He seems like a class act and he is one kid that really cares about the education that SMU has to offer.

I am happy with that from what little I know about him. Ponyte met a family member or 2 and said the were good people.

Congratulations to Stephon on this. I hear good things about the kid and I have a feeling we are going to see some shut-down D this fall.


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I am here: http://tapatalk.com/map.php?ssviak

His momma sat with us at the Bowl game...she is a hoot and made mention he carries at 3.8 GPA at SMU. He is a real talent and is a real student/athlete.

We loved it when his mother got so excited about the pick in the BBVA and ran up and down the aisles high fiving everyone! What a great player.

Love it. The kid plays like a beast. Glad to see he is doing well in class too!

Go Ponies!

excellent choice-excelling on the field and in the classroom just like LeVias-love to see aother 23 Academic All-American

Congrats to Sanders. A real honor.

The great news is that there are a dozen more that would qualify! I sat next to another player last night with his mother and father and it was truely a rewarding evening.

Sanders Awarded No. 23
Rising Sophomore Chosen To Honor LeVias

DALLAS (SMU) - Mustang sophomore-to-be Stephon Sanders has been awarded the number "23" for the 2012 season, Head Coach June Jones announced Saturday, April 28, at the SMU Football Celebration.

Prior to the 2009 season, Jones announced that a deserving student-athlete on the SMU football team would be chosen to wear the number "23" on his jersey to honor Jerry LeVias for his contributions to America, the sport of football and SMU.

When 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.

Sanders earned a starting job as a true freshman and recorded 26 tackles, 5.5 for-loss, and three sacks.

SMU safety Chris Banjo, the first "23" recipient, has worn the number for the past three seasons.

Sat with him, his mother, father and uncle at the Football Banquet and they ARE great people. We all had tears in our eyes after the Levias film. When he thanked the coaches for choosing him and mentioning his 3.61 GPA, he quipped it was "likely to go down", drawing laughter and applause. Very deserving young man.

Congrats to Stephon. May he wear the #23 for the next 3 years.

Does SMU market a No. 23 jersey? Have to start somewhere but I bet the Aggies have made about a MILLION DOLLARS on No. 12 jersies. Always my favorite number as a kid because of Levias and Gene Phillips. Now I like the significance of the number even more

Stallion wrote:Does SMU market a No. 23 jersey? Have to start somewhere but I bet the Aggies have made about a MILLION DOLLARS on No. 12 jersies. Always my favorite number as a kid because of Levias and Gene Phillips. Now I like the significance of the number even more

Not only #23 but with Levias' name. That would be allowed would it not. I know you are not supposed to have names of current players but I would think past is ok and this would certainly be worthy.