1989 Greater Flint Afro-American Hall of Fame Inductee
Category: MULIIPLE SPORTS
Born: February 10. 1932
Wife: Bernadine Duckett
Daughter: Janeen
Sons: Ellis, Bruce, Duane
In 1937 the Duckett family moved to Flint. The Duckett’s were a family that prided themselves on making positive contributions to the community. Ellis attended the Flint public schools, and acquired a taste for sports at a very early age. At the age of 12 he played basketball in the Class E League at Berston (the home of champions). His team won the city championship.
In 1949, at Northern, his natural ability was soon noticed. He was a member of the state championship team that ran the 100 and 220 relay. Ellis made five all-state teams in football, joining a select few to ever accomplish this. As All-City and All- Saginaw Valley he was a unanimous choice. The 1950 team at Northern earned even greater accomplishments. Ellis, Bolden and McDonald were the only football players from the same backfield to make first team All-State in the history of the sport in Michigan. Again Ellis was selected All-City and All-Saginaw Valley.
Ellis led the basketball team to city championships and Saginaw Valley, City and State titles in track.
At M.S.U. he made the All-American Team at the end position. Michigan State won the Rose Bowl game in 1954 with Ellis blocking a punt and scoring the touchdown that was the turning point of the game. NCAA National Football Champions in 1952. After leaving Michigan State he played two seasons of professional football in the Canadian Football League.
The mayor of Flint proclaimed August 31, 1968 as Ellis Duckett Day. Ellis won the Barcus Award at the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame Awards Dinner in 1974. The award goes to the member of the Detroit News All-State Team of 25 years ago who best typifies the results of football training in home and business life. At present Ellis is a teacher in the Flint Community School system.
Ellis was inducted into the Greater Flint Hall of Fame in 1986.
