1995 Greater Flint African American Sports Hall of Fame Inductee
Category: Multiple Sports
John ran track and played halfback in football at Flint Northern. In track at Northern in 1955 John set the School Sophomore 440 record, 52 seconds’ flat, regional medley relay record 2:31.7 seconds. In 1956 State 440 champion, 50 seconds, and 1957 Valley 440, State 440 champion and setting Regional 440 record 51.4 seconds.
A 1955 football left halfback John scored eight touchdowns and was selected second team All Valley halfback. The 1956 football backfield at Northern rated its best running unit in the school history with stars, Relerford, Gaines, and Quarterback Waters. John was outstanding, second in valley scoring 42 points, All City halfback, unanimous All Valley left halfback and selected on every All-State Team, including Michigan All Classes All State Team. He scored 12 touchdowns that season. john’s two-year total was 1,495 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns. Flint Northern was undefeated City, Valley and State Football Champions. John climaxed his great football achievements by being named National High School All-American, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, being one of the first in Flint to receive this honor.
After John graduated from Northern, he attended Michigan State where he played football.
