GA Football Hall of Fame nominates 4 Columbus stars after NFL & Canadian League careers
Of the 100 nominees for the Georgia High School Football Hall of Fame’s inaugural class, four played for Columbus teams.
The Ledger-Enquirer reported last month that Otis Sistrunk from Spencer High School is on the initial list of 32 nominees. Now, with the full list announced, three other local standouts join Sistrunk.
Two of them are also Spencer alumni: John Henry Jackson and Ernie Green. The other Columbus native on the selection committee’s ballot is Jarvis Jones from Carver High School.
The hall’s board will vote to select 36 of these nominees for the inaugural class induction during the Oct. 22 ceremony in Atlanta. The result of that vote is expected to be released July 15.
They will join the nine members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame from Georgia high schools who automatically will be in the inaugural class: Calvin Johnson (Sandy Creek), Champ Bailey (Charlton County), Ray Guy (Thomson), Fran Tarkenton (Athens), Mel Blount (Lyons Industrial), Shannon Sharpe (Glennville), Richard Dent (Murphy), Rayfield Wright (Griffin) and Jim Parker (Ballard-Hudson).
The complete list of nominees is at scoreatl.com.
Here is the biographical and statistical information the board has been given about the four Columbus players:
John Henry Jackson
Quarterback for Spencer’s 9-0 state champion in 1956 and state runner-up in 1957 (15-1-4 record in two seasons). Considered the first Black player from Georgia to play in a major white football conference after signing with Indiana of the Big Ten.
Jackson played one varsity season at Indiana and was the team’s leading passer (478 yards, six TD passes). He also played in Canadian Football League and Continental Football League.
Ernie Green
Running back starred with Jackson on Spencer’s 1956 state champion and 1957 runner-up teams. First Spencer player to have his number retired (2018). Green served as senior class president and then signed with Louisville. Led team in rushing twice. Inducted into Louisville Cardinals Ring of Honor.
Green was selected by the Green Bay Packers during the 14th round of 1962 NFL draft. Played seven NFL seasons (89 games, 76 starts). Best known as NFL legend Jim Brown’s blocking back with the Cleveland Browns, though Green had 5,240 yards from scrimmage in his own right (3,204 rushing and 2,036 receiving).
He also played in two Pro Bowls (1966, 1967) and started on the Browns’ 1964 NFL championship team.
Otis Sistrunk
Lineman started as sophomore and junior in 1960s at Spencer but became ineligible as senior because of age limit. Reputation as dominant player.
After serving with the U.S. Marines, Sistrunk started playing semipro football at age 21. Played in Continental Football League before signing with Oakland Raiders in 1972. Played seven NFL seasons, starting all 98 games.
Sistrunk was selected to the Pro Bowl team and second-team All Pro in 1974 and started at right defensive end for the Super Bowl champion Raiders during the 1976 season.
Jarvis Jones
As a junior, this Carver linebacker was named the 2007 Class 3A Defensive Player of the Year by Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Georgia Sports Writers Association and Georgia Athletic Coaches Association. Notched 157 tackles (26 for loss), four sacks and two interceptions for 2007 Class 3A state championship team (first state title in program’s history). Had 77 tackles and four interceptions as senior and still was selected 2008 first-team AJC, GSWA and GACA all-state despite missing several games with broken thumb. Also 2008 USA Today second-team All-American.
Consensus No. 49 ranking nationally and No. 4 in Georgia among college prospects. Played one season at Southern California before a neck injury made him medically ineligible. He then transferred to Georgia. Two-time first-team All-SEC (2011-12). SEC Defensive Player of the Year and consensus first-team All-American in 2012.
Selected by Pittsburgh Steelers in first round (17th overall) of 2013 NFL draft. Played four seasons in NFL (50 games, 35 starts).
This story was originally published July 11, 2022 at 5:10 AM.
