Collection:LPB

Genre: Interview

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2011-11-15

Duration: 00:27:07

Subjects: STOVALL, JERRY | Sports | Football coaches | Football players | LSU Tigers (Football team) | Dietzel, Paul F. | McClendon, Charles, 1923-2001 | St. Louis Cardinals (Football team)

Contributors:

• Courtney, Beth Host
• Godoy, Al Producer
• Stovall, Jerry Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana Legends” from November 15, 2011, features an interview with Jerry Stovall conducted by Beth Courtney. Stovall, a native of West Monroe, played college football at LSU from 1959-1962, was the runner-up for the 1962 Heisman Trophy, and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010. He also played professional football for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1963-1971 and served as the head coach of the LSU football team from 1980-1983. He discusses: growing up in West Monroe; his transition from baseball to football in high school; transitioning into a larger university setting at LSU; the balance between grades and practice as a college athlete; playing under Coach Paul Dietzel; the experience of being the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy; changes in college football; his marriage with his wife Judy; playing for the St. Louis Cardinals in the NFL; his time as an assistant coach under Paul Dietzel and Charles McClendon; the feeling of being head coach; being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame; his involvement with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes; his involvement with the Sports Foundation and its impact on Baton Rouge; the people of Louisiana; the importance of humility; his relationship with his father-in-law; and the characteristics needed to be a competitive athlete.