George Steinbrenner deserves the praise of all New Yorkers. He was a legend, and a good humanitarian who exuberated a winning attitude that all New Yorkers could appreciate.
He never talked about it in great detail, but Mr. Steinbrenner did a lot to help African American college football programs.
How?
One relationship Steinbrenner had was with the late great Grambling University football coach, Eddie Robinson.
Not enough people know that Steinbrenner actually loaned Yankee Stadium to Grambling for the annual Whitney M. Young Urban League Football Classic, which showcases black college football teams and even today raises scholarship money.
When the Urban League's strained finances couldn't underwrite the game, Coach Robinson put in a plea to the Yankees' owner. With Steinbrenner's backing and support, the game, which has provided scholarships to nearly 500 students, was saved.
Back in the late 1980’s, I was honored to have attended one of the Grambling games at Yankee stadium and stood on the sidelines.
I will never forget that I rode one of the those Yankee Stadium elevators to get from the press box to the field level, and none other than Mr. Steinbrenner walked into the elevator.
He was very nice and without wearing a tie, Steinbrenner was dressed immaculately. I will always remember how pleasant Steinbrenner was. I looked down at his feet, and it was just something even special about his shoes that seemed to symbolize Steinbrenner himself. A man of class and dignity. He had on a pair of “penny lofters” that seemed to match his personality.
My wife Marilyn was nine months pregnant with our daughter Courtney and stood on the side lines for the game, as well with our friend Ron Johnson, but with those huge athletes, she decided it was a little too close for comfort and went home early.
Today the Football Classic is held in New Jersey, but without Steinbrenner, it would have died a long time ago with all of those annual scholarships gone down the drain.
So the next time you attend the Whitney M. Young Urban League Classic football game in New Jersey, or the parade in Harlem celebrating the game, (that brings the bands to NY as well and cheerleaders) or you look at the NFL and see some of the stand out African American athletes like former receiver Jerry Rice, just remember without the kindness of George Steinbrenner, it may not have ever happened.
Thank you Mr. Steinbrenner, and may you rest in peace.