1995 Greater Flint Afro-American Hall of Fame Inductee
Category: MULTIPLE SPORTS
Wife: Sharon Sharp
Daughters: Sala, Sandrina, Camara
Son: Yahya (Yahty)
While at Flint Northern, John ran track and played halfback in football. In track at Northern in 1955 John set the School Sophomore 440 record, 52 seconds flat. Regional medlay 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 lefthalfback John scored eight touchdowns and was selected second team All Valley halfback. The 1956 football backfield at Northern rated it’s 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 matriculated at Michigan State where he played football.
John has been a resident of Hawaii for 30 years. He served 16 years with Palama Settlement Recreation Outreach, coached football for Pop Warner for 15 years, and presently serves as Recreation Coordinator, Hawaii Job Corp.
