DENTON, Texas – North Texas Athletics will construct a new Unity Plaza honoring trailblazers Abner Haynes and Dr. Leon King, the first Black players to integrate major college football at a four-year university in Texas, the department announced Thursday.
“We are excited to honor the contributions of two icons of our university and the state of Texas in Abner and Leon,” Vice President and Director of Athletics Wren Baker said. “This Unity Plaza will be a focal point of our athletics facilities and somewhere that will live on for generations celebrating the achievements of two of our finest alumni.”
The plaza will be constructed adjacent to the UNT Athletic Center and the Lovelace and McNatt Families Practice Facility. It will prominently feature both men’s names along with plaques honoring their vast accomplishments.
In 1956, Haynes and Dr. King became the first Black student-athletes to play major college football in Texas when they became members of the North Texas freshman team. Both would move to the varsity as sophomore in 1957.
“I am proud to see these trailblazers honored for their contributions to UNT and Texas,” President Neal Smatresk said. “They broke barriers and served as inspiration for many that came after them, and I am excited our athletics department is recognizing their exceptional bravery and perseverance with our Unity Plaza.”
After suffering an injury, Dr. King left UNT after his junior year to support his family but returned to complete his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and he later earned a doctorate from Nova University. He was inducted into the African American Education Archives and History Program Hall of Fame following more than four decades of service as a teacher, coach, and administrator in Dallas Independent School District.
Haynes, a member of the UNT Athletics Hall of Fame, the Texas Sports Hall of Fame and the UNT All-Century Team, led the Mean Green in rushing three times and was twice a Missouri Valley All-Conference honoree. He led UNT to a 1959 Sun Bowl appearance, and Time magazine named him an All-American.
In 1960, he was drafted in the first round by the AFL’s Dallas Texans, now the Kansas City Chiefs. Haynes went on to a play eight seasons of pro football and was named the AFL MVP in 1960. He was a four-time AFL All-Star and in 1991 was inducted into the Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame. His No. 28 jersey was also retired by the franchise.
Construction is expected to begin in the coming weeks with anticipated completion in early to mid-fall. To donate to the Unity Plaza project click HERE. More information including renderings of the project are available HERE.
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