Jerry LeVias
Ambassador for the Houston Texans
"Breaking Barriers in Collegiate and Professional Sports"
January 18, 2018
Jerry LeVias holds a special place in the history of college athletics. When he entered Southern Methodist University in 1965, he became the first African-American to receive an athletic scholarship in the Southwest Conference. His signing with SMU changed the racial makeup of college football in the South. LeVias made both Academic All-American and Athletic All-American and he led the Mustangs to their first conference title in 18 years.
After earning his Bachelor of Science Degree from SMU, LeVias played professional football for the Houston Oilers and San Diego Chargers. He has received numerous honors recognizing his achievements. They include the SMU Hall of Fame, Texas Sports Hall of Fame, African-American Hall of Fame, National College Football Hall of Fame, Texas High School Hall of Fame, Prairie View Interscholastic League Hall of Fame, and All-American Alumni Award of the Football Writers Association of America. He also is a recipient of the SMU Distinguished Alumni Award.
LeVias currently serves as President of the Executive Board of Directors of Harris County Children Protective Services; Ambassador for the Houston Texans; serves on the senior advisory committee for the Texas Bowl, Houston; and serves on the Executive Board of SMU Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences.