The “B” Association and Baylor Athletics will recognize pioneer and football letterwinner, John Hill Westbrook, as a Football Legend during the Baylor vs. SMU game on Saturday, September 10, 2016, in McLane Stadium.

A star athlete and salutatorian at Booker T. Washington High School in Elgin, Texas, Westbrook enrolled at Baylor University in 1965 and walked on the football team as a freshman running back.  Despite the racial challenges that existed during that time, he earned an athletic scholarship and made history in the Bears’ season-opening 35-12 upset win over No. 7 Syracuse in Waco, TX, on September 10, 1966.  Westbrook entered the game in the 4^th quarter that day and broke a 52 year-old color barrier, becoming the first African-American to play in a Southwest Conference football game.  This year marks the 50^th Anniversary of his historic achievement.  Such efforts paved the way for many other African Americans, whose inclusion has enhanced the intercollegiate experience for all student athletes that followed.

Westbrook passed away in Houston on December 17, 1983 due to complications from a blood clot, but his memory and legacy at Baylor lives on today.  With the blessing of his family, the Baylor “B” Association, in 2009, established the John Westbrook Award for Courage and Perseverance.  The award is presented annually to one male and one female Baylor student-athlete who has overcome great personal, academic and/or emotional challenges to achieve academic success while making positive contributions to their respective teams, families, and communities.

Accepting the Legend award on his behalf will be his widow Paulette Westbrook and their four children.

2016 Baylor Football Legends
Sept. 2 vs. Northwestern State – Steve Grumbine, Defensive Lineman #77, 1983-86
Sept. 10 vs. SMU – John Westbrook (deceased), Running Back #22, 1966-68
Sept. 24 vs. OSU  – Jason Smith, Offensive Lineman #72, 2005-07
Nov. 5 vs. TCU  – Jordan Lake, Strong Safety #21, 2006-09
Nov. 19 vs. Kansas St. – Joe Pawelek, Linebacker #41, 2006-09