Albert Davis Day

Fiftieth anniversary of landmark game cause for much reflection

Albert Davis signs scholarship papers with the University of Tennessee in this 1967 photo. Seated with Davis, from left, are his father, Jefferson Davis, mother, Annabelle, and Alcoa coach Jack Raby. Standing at center is Vols coach Doug Dickey. Photo courtesy of David Duggan

Editor’s note: The following is the first installment of a two-part series on the 50th anniversary of former Alcoa running back Albert Davis becoming the first black player to play in a high school game with whites in Blount County. Part II will chronicle the Jack Raby years at Alcoa and Davis’ brush with college football immortality.

By Stefan Cooper
Editor
Blount Press Row

Doris Bailey dressed the girls for the game and gave her husband, Bill, a kiss for luck.

Bill would ride to Everett High School with the team. Doris would follow later in the car.

The Alcoa High School coach and his family had received a series of ugly and threatening phone calls over the previous week.