Abner Haynes

Submitted By jlk0041 on Thu, 07/25/2024 - 12:45pm

Abner HaynesAbner Haynes, 86, legendary UNT football trailblazer, died July 18 in Dallas.

Haynes and Dr. Leon King became the first Black athletes to integrate football at a four-year college in Texas when they made the North Texas freshman team in 1956 and moved up to varsity in 1957. Unity Plaza, which opened on campus near DATCU Stadium in 2022, honors their legacy.

The two players from Lincoln High School in Dallas were in the first freshman class of Black students to enter North Texas in Fall 1956. Their new teammates united in the face of racism around the area, demonstrated at the first road game.

After moving to the varsity squad in 1957, despite the racial hurdles he faced, Haynes led the team in rushing for three years. He led North Texas to an appearance in the 1959 Sun Bowl and was named an All-American by Time magazine that year. He also earned two Missouri Valley All-Conference honors, and would later be named to the Missouri Valley's All-Centennial Team.

He was drafted by the Steelers of the NFL but was signed by the Dallas Texans of the American Football League. In his rookie year, he led the AFL in rushing and was the league's first Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year. From 1960 to 1962, Haynes led the league in rushing touchdowns, was top three in rushing yards, and was first-team All-AFL. In 1961, he scored five touchdowns in one game and 19 for the season. In the 1962 AFL Championship game, Haynes scored two touchdowns as the Texans (which later became the Kansas City Chiefs) beat the Houston Oilers 20-17 to win the league crown.

Haynes went on to play for the Denver Broncos, New York Jets and Miami Dolphins, and retired in 1967. He was inducted into the UNT Athletics Hall of Fame in 1986, and the Chiefs retired his number in 1988. He was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 2008. After his playing days, he continued to provide a voice for athletes. He represented NFL players as an agent and also established Heroes of Football, supporting and connecting retired players and bringing their common health issues to light.

Haynes’ winning personality and success on the field are often credited with helping desegregation at North Texas run more peacefully than in some other places around the country. His family, which includes a grandson attending UNT, remembers his life as one of sacrifice and service, not only as a leader in integrating college football in Texas but also in the fight for civil rights. His efforts both on and off the field have left an enduring legacy.

Viewing is scheduled from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 26, at the Evergreen Memorial Funeral Home, 6449 University Hills Blvd. in Dallas, and a celebration of his life will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 27, at the Grace Cathedral Church of God in Christ, 7615 S. Polk St. in Dallas. Burial will follow at Lincoln Cemetery, 8100 Fireside Dr. in Dallas.

For more on Haynes:

  • Athletics video of Haynes recounting fond memories of Fouts Field, the stadium he played in at North Texas.
  • Fouts Field tribute video that includes Haynes catching a pass and running in for the touchdown (the play begins at the 59-second mark).
  • YouTube clip of Haynes talking about his part in the effort to change the venue for the 1965 AFL All-Star game.
  • Athletics video showing Haynes’ recognition at a Mean Green football game as the recipient of a UNT Presidential Medal of Honor in 2017.
  • Athletics video highlighting the dedication of Unity Plaza, created to honor Haynes and King in 2022.

Abner Haynes, 86, legendary UNT football trailblazer, died July 18 in Dallas.

Haynes and Dr. Leon King became the first Black athletes to integrate football at a four-year college in Texas when they made the North Texas freshman team in 1956 and moved up to varsity in 1957. Unity Plaza, which opened on campus near DATCU Stadium in 2022, honors their legacy.

The two players from Lincoln High School in Dallas were in the first freshman class of Black students to enter North Texas in Fall 1956. Their new teammates united in the face of racism around the area, demonstrated at the first road game.

After moving to the varsity squad in 1957, despite the racial hurdles he faced, Haynes led the team in rushing for three years. He led North Texas to an appearance in the 1959 Sun Bowl and was named an All-American by Time magazine that year. He also earned two Missouri Valley All-Conference honors, and would later be named to the Missouri Valley's All-Centennial Team.

He was drafted by the Steelers of the NFL but was signed by the Dallas Texans of the American Football League. In his rookie year, he led the AFL in rushing and was the league's first Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year. From 1960 to 1962, Haynes led the league in rushing touchdowns, was top three in rushing yards, and was first-team All-AFL. In 1961, he scored five touchdowns in one game and 19 for the season. In the 1962 AFL Championship game, Haynes scored two touchdowns as the Texans (which later became the Kansas City Chiefs) beat the Houston Oilers 20-17 to win the league crown.

Haynes went on to play for the Denver Broncos, New York Jets and Miami Dolphins, and retired in 1967. He was inducted into the UNT Athletics Hall of Fame in 1986, and the Chiefs retired his number in 1988. He was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 2008. After his playing days, he continued to provide a voice for athletes. He represented NFL players as an agent and also established Heroes of Football, supporting and connecting retired players and bringing their common health issues to light.

Haynes’ winning personality and success on the field are often credited with helping desegregation at North Texas run more peacefully than in some other places around the country. His family, which includes a grandson attending UNT, remembers his life as one of sacrifice and service, not only as a leader in integrating college football in Texas but also in the fight for civil rights. His efforts both on and off the field have left an enduring legacy.

Viewing is scheduled from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 26, at the Evergreen Memorial Funeral Home, 6449 University Hills Blvd. in Dallas, and a celebration of his life will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 27, at the Grace Cathedral Church of God in Christ, 7615 S. Polk St. in Dallas. Burial will follow at Lincoln Cemetery, 8100 Fireside Dr. in Dallas.

For more on Haynes:

  • Athletics video of Haynes recounting fond memories of Fouts Field, the stadium he played in at North Texas.
  • Fouts Field tribute video that includes Haynes catching a pass and running in for the touchdown (the play begins at the 59-second mark).
  • YouTube clip of Haynes talking about his part in the effort to change the venue for the 1965 AFL All-Star game.
  • Athletics video showing Haynes’ recognition at a Mean Green football game as the recipient of a UNT Presidential Medal of Honor in 2017.
  • Athletics video highlighting the dedication of Unity Plaza, created to honor Haynes and King in 2022.
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