Page 19 - some-stuff-i-wrote-and-some-stuff-i-didn't-(2011)-h-morris-williams

Some Stuff I Wrote (2001) H. Morris Williams

Lake City’s Pro Athletes

November 17,1992

Lake City has produced several athletes who have played professional sports, including major

league baseball and NFL football.

Stuffy Stewart played baseball locally for Columbia College, then after some semi-pro ball,
signed with the St. Louis Cardinals. He also played with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Washington
Senators, playing with the Senators in the 1924 World Series. A second baseman and renowned

base-stealer, his blazing speed was often compared to that of Ty Cobb. After his playing years, he
managed the Birmingham Barons in the old Southern League.

Doc Nance, Pat Streety and Norman Ives were other Lake Citians who played professional
baseball in the Stuffy Stewart era but they never quite made it to the major leagues. Pat Summerall,

Randall Jackson and Scott Adams all made it to the National Football League after their playing
days at CHS and college.

Summerall played for the Detroit Lions (1952), the Chicago Cardinals (1953-57) and the
New York Giants (1958-61). In 1959 Pat led the NFL kicking field goals. Inhis 10 year career, he

kicked 100 field goals, 257 points-after-TD’s - then added one rushing TD for a total of 563 points.
While playing for the Giants in 1958, Pat kicked a 36-yard field goal and two PATs as the

Giants lost 23-17 to Baltimore in the first sudden-death overtime contest in NFL history.
Randall Jackson, who grew up across the street from Memorial Stadium, was all-everything

at CHS and the University of Florida. He moved up to the Chicago Bears, playing offensive tackle
from 1967-74. He was a starter throughout his career and was named the Bears’ Most Valuable

Player one year, edging Hall of Famer Dick Butkus.
Scott Adams is currently playing his first full year in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings.

An offensive lineman, Scott was a 3-year starter at the University of Georgia under legendary Coach
Vince Dooley. After graduation, he had an extended tryout with the NFL Dallas Cowboys, then

helped lead Barcelona to a second place finish in the World Football League.
Interestingly, Scott’s first organized football team in the local youth recreation league was
called the Vikings.

JackEspenship went to FSU after CHS and from there on to the Canadian Football League.

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