Take a stroll down Earl Campbell parkway

The Tyler Morning Telegraph reported that the Tyler City Council voted to honor their hometown hero, Earl Campbell, with a street name on March 26.

"Earl Campbell has been an inspiration to the community because he has shown that with hard work and perseverance, anything is possible," said Mayor Donald Sanders. "He has inspired the youth of this community to reach for their dreams."

Besides being known as the rose capital of America, Tyler, Texas, is also known for the infamous running back Campbell. Campbell, ironically nicknamed the Tyler rose, has left an imprint on the Tyler community and the longhorn nation.

Campbell came to the University of Texas in 1974 and was the running back for the Longhorn football team for three seasons. During his last season in 1977, Campbell received the coveted Heisman Trophy.

In 1978, Campbell entered the National Football League draft and was the first draft pick by the Houston Oilers. He was traded in 1984 to the New Orleans’ Saints and retired from professional football in 1986.

Campbell, who attended his dedication in Tyler, Texas, told the media, "I've just been thinking, that's such a tremendous honor, to have a street, your children and your grandchildren, people will go up and down and say, 'We want to go to that Earl Campbell Street.' I think it's just unbelievable."

In my opinion, Campbell’s recognition from his hometown is great publicity for the University of Texas’ football program because it shows the current public the impact a player, who has hasn’t played a game in Royal- Memorial Stadium in over thirty years, can have on a community.

Campbell was inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame in 1991.

Longhorns bring manners to the table

According to an article posted on the official University of Texas football website, the University of Texas football coaching staff participates in a proper etiquette dinner for the Texas football players instructed by Mary Ellen Oliver, former director of special events at the university.

The etiquette dinner gives incoming freshman and current football players an opportunity to learn proper etiquette for various situations.

"We learned a lot of valuable information that I really didn't even know," WR Marquise Goodwin said. "You can use the skills we learned tonight during bowl games, important dinners, or even when you take your girlfriend out on a date."

A team of young men who are aggressive on the field and polite off the field reflects well on Texas Longhorns football program.

When the Longhorns leave the stadium on San Jacinto Street and go their separate paths the way they conduct themselves reflects back on The University of Texas and its championship winning football program’s reputation.

The etiquette dinner has been a tradition in the Texas football program for 13 years when Coach Brown started it in 1998 in hopes of teaching his players the importance of manners.

"Coach Brown's theory was that he wanted his players to be able to go out in the world and be successful in whatever they did." said Oliver, who has taught the etiquette dinner since its beginning.

By implementing this dinner, Brown is insuring that the Longhorn’s gentle giants are also gentlemen.

Ex-longhorn David Thomas returns to Austin, Texas

David Thomas, former longhorn tight end, served as grand marshal for the Texas Independence Day Parade on March 6 in Austin, Texas.

Last month Thomas, a professional football player for the New Orleans Saints, experienced every boy's childhood dream of winning the Super Bowl.

This isn't the first time for Thomas to be apart of a championship team.

Thomas was a team captain for The University of Texas Longhorn football team who won the 2005 National Championship title game against The University of Southern California.

While in Austin,Texas, this weekend Thomas attended a spring football practice and visited with players and coaches.

I may not know everything about Texas football, but I do believe that Thomas is a positive role model for current students and alumnus of The University of Texas at Austin.

After we leave the 40 acres and pursue our dreams it's important to remember the place that opened so many doors for us.

Thomas acknowledges by saying, "[We] really appreciate all that The University has done for us and it's always fun to get back here."

When asked about the support he received from Longhorn coaches and players Thomas said, " I think that's a great testament to how much we all care about The University of Texas and how much coach Brown and the program care of us and cares about us."

Thomas holds The University of Texas Longhorn football record as the all-time leader in receptions, yards, and touchdowns for a tight end.