By Staff
Few native sons make Brewton residents as proud as former football star Walter Lewis - but on a visit to his hometown Monday, Lewis turned the praise on the friends he said have influenced him over the years.
Lewis recalled the McMillan family's help as he took part in the Punt, Pass and Kick contest that won him a national title at the age of 8. He laughed about the antics he and his fellow students had engaged in during class. And he recalled the pieces of advice he received from friends of his father and others over the years.
Lewis was in town Monday to film part of a documentary about important plays in Alabama football history. But he also took time out to speak to members of the football team at his alma mater, T.R. Miller high School.
Lewis reminded the players that when he was a young student, their coach Jamie Riggs was a star player for Miller.
Lewis said the players can apply what they learn on the football field to the rest of their lives.
Lewis said he hoped the players would remember never to quit - even when temperatures on the practice field are as hot as they have been in the past week.
Kerry Whipple Bean is publisher of The Brewton Standard. She can be reached at 251-867-4876 or by e-mail at kerry.bean@brewtonstandard.com.