Kelvin Middleton – #37, Thomas Everette, Chris Sheffield, Donnie Shell, Coach Tony Dungy, Dwayne Woodruff,  Delton Hall,  Lupe Sanchez

When our director, Kelvin Middleton, is lecturing he always begins by telling youth that he grew up without a father, he was one of eleven children, raised by a single mother, in an impoverished neighborhood, in South Macon, in a two bedroom shanty with one bathroom.  He further states his father abandoned the family when Kelvin was twelve years old; and, that the only thing that his father gave him was his name and in the neighborhood where he grew up many children did not know who their fathers were; and, others did not have the same last name as their fathers.  Kelvin articulates a sense of pride and responsibility to protect the name he was entrusted with, to live his life in a manner that brings honor and integrity and to protect it from any one else defaming, damaging the integrity or character of his father’s name.

 Kelvin was an outstanding athlete who graduated from Southwest High School, in Macon, with a football scholarship to Wichita State University.  He was highly recruited and chose to go to Wichita State University to play for Coach Willie Jeffries.  (Coach Jeffries was the 1st African-American  Head Coach of a NCAA I-A football program and inductee into the College Hall of Fame.)  After an extremely successful college football career, Kelvin entered the United States Football League as a free agent, for the Oklahoma and Arizona franchise teams, led by quarter back Doug Williams.  He had a lucrative career in the USFL and received honorable mention in Sports Illustrated an on ESPN.  When the USFL ceased its operations, Kelvin was selected by the National Football League, Pittsburgh Steelers, as a defensive back, coached by  Coach Chuck Noll and defensive coordinator Tony Dungy.  Kelvin was second in the depth chart, a back up for Donnie Shell.  Kelvin’s career in the NFL ended when he chose to honor the NFL players’ strike; and, the owner’s tried to break the strike by hiring replacement players for the NFL players who refused to cross the picket line.   The Steelers cut him from the roster; and, he returned to Macon to make a difference.  He served the City of Macon for 17.5 years, in the Parks & Recreation Department, developing and executing recreational, therapeutic, academic programing, strengthening the community, promoting tolerance and sensitivity, empowering families; and, mentoring youth prior to transitioning into the non profit sector.

Kelvin reflects upon his career in the USFL and NFL and the ‘elite fraternity’ of men that he was privileged to share a locker room many of whom have entered the Hall of Fame.  He also thinks about the day during the 1987 NFL strike when Chris Sheffield and he decided to cross the picket line; and, media had reported that he was enroute.  When Middleton arrived at the picket line, NFL veterans and Player union representatives encouraged him to remain unified and he refused to cross the picket line which ended his career in the NFL; and, his ability to provide his mother and siblings with a new home and financial stability.  Kelvin’s experience is a life lesson that teaches youth about character and integrity .

Macon Sports Hall of Fame, Class of 2023

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments

of comfort and convenience but where he stands at time of challenge

and controversy.

– Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Photo Credits: NFL Pittsburgh Steelers, USFL, Wichita State University, Abiah Library Special Collections & Archives, Macon Sports Hall of Fame, Jeff Battcher