Richard Hyatt: The Helms-Hurston connection

Mike Helms was the left end and for three seasons Chuck Hurston lined up next to him at tackle. They double-teamed the same defenders, ate the same mud and tried not to flinch when coaches called them vile names.

They reported to Auburn University in 1962. Helms hailed from rural Alabama and Hurston was a lanky lineman from Jordan High. They were young and scared. They masked their fears with locker room bravado overcoming the sound of suitcases snapping and cars sneaking away from the dorm with their lights off as others left without a goodbye or a see you later.

They survived, finding a closeness only warriors understand. That’s why Helms was emotional last week when he talked about the death of old No. 73. Hurston was a teammate — a relationship players don’t take lightly.

“You have to learn to be a teammate,” Helms said. “You learn to work in the system and you go through the trenches together. You run wind sprints until you can’t run anymore. You get harassed and embarrassed and you reach a point you have to trust each other.”

College football was a different game. Schools signed as many players as they could afford. If one guy couldn’t cut it, there was always fresh meat on the bench. Practices were unbearably long and on Saturdays players went both ways.

Helms and Hurston played a two-man game, working on blocking techniques that sealed off the outside for Auburn legends Tucker Frederickson and Jimmy Sidle.

“We had to coordinate everything we did. Chuck was smart. He made sure I lined up in the right spot and recognized the defenses,” Helms said.

After college, they went in different directions. Helms came to Hurston’s hometown for a summer job at the First Baptist Church of Columbus. After dental school, he returned to practice dentistry.

Hurston played seven years of pro football and became a footnote in history. In 1967, he was a starting defensive end in the first Super Bowl. Two years later, he won a ring. He was part of an exclusive fraternity. Just 41 local players and 131 Georgians have suited up for Super Bowls and many didn’t earn a ring.

Let the records show that Charles Frederick Hurston did, but he would say that being a good teammate was as important as any piece of jewelry.

— Richard Hyatt is an independent correspondent. Reach him at hyatt31906@knology.net.

This story was originally published November 7, 2015 at 8:41 PM with the headline "Richard Hyatt: The Helms-Hurston connection."