By T. Scott Boatright
Rain and lightning failed to dampen the spirit of celebration last weekend as Grambling State held its 2024 Black and Gold Spring Football Game.
And this time it was a celebration more than 100 years in the making.
That’s because the game featured a return to the Grambling campus for the Rev. Dr. Arlester Brown, who celebrated his 100th birthday on April 1, making him the oldest living former football player for the G-Men.
Brown was one of the members of Grambling’s famous 1942 team which went unbeaten, untied and unscored upon during legendary coach Eddie G. Robinson’s second season as head coach of the Tigers.
Teammates of Brown that season included Grambling Legend Fred Hobdy, who would go on to become longtime men’s basketball coach and athletics director for the university, as well as Tank Younger, the first NFL player from a predominantly Black college as well as the first Black to become an NFL front-office administrator (scout and executive with the Rams until 1975).
“I had tremendous relationships with my coach and mentors, Coach Robinson, W. L. Garner and Vidilla Adams Johnson (daughter of Charles P. Adams),” Brown said. “They were my mentors and coaches for life and it was them who gave me an opportunity to become a successful man to strive for excellence in all phases of life.
As the United States became embroiled in World War II, Grambling didn’t field a team the next two seasons due to the war.
Like most of his Grambling teammates, Brown served his country as a Quartermaster engineer with the 599th Quartermaster Laundry Company, a critical supply source for the front line.
In January of 1945, Brown was hit by shrapnel when an unmanned buzz bomb exploded near him
“We moved into France, Belgium and Holland before we finally got stabilized in Germany,” Brown said. “That’s where I was hit in the face by a piece of metal as a bomb went off.”
Brown, who was born in Homer before moving to Grambling as a young boy to live with his grandmother, returned to Grambling after the war and earned his teaching degree in 1949.
He went on to earn a Master’s degree in Administration Education from Texas Southern in Houston as well as a Master’s degree of Divinity and additional theological studies received at Howard University School of Religion.
Brown also received an honorary doctorate in Divinity from Universal Life Church.
He currently lives in the Washington, D.C. area, where he moved in 1970 after years of serving in Louisiana public schools as a teacher and principal. .
There Brown served for years teaching at Wesley Theological Seminary.
Last weekend’s return was the first return to Grambling for Brown since 1999.
“That was the 50th anniversary of my earning my degree from Grambling,” Brown said. “(President) Bill Clinton was the graduation speaker that year. That was the last time I was back.”
Brown met a host of former Grambling football players over the weekend.
They were all amazed by Brown’s mental and physical acumen while he admitted being amazed by all the love, support and admiration he was shown during his return to campus.
“This is all quite overpowering to think that this group of folks think that much of myself and the services I rendered,” Brown said.
While the weekend’s Spring Game was delayed and then shortened by lightning and heavy rain, Brown said he loved every minute of being there and that he continues to be an avid follower of Grambling Football.
“I keep up with it over my computer,” Brown said. “The last game I went to was a Bayou Classic. I’ve forgotten what year that was now.”
And Brown will hopefully make another return to “The G” later this summer after receiving another surprise over the weekend during an announcement made by Ray Higgins, producer of the Grambling Legends, Inc. induction ceremonies.
“By executive order from Doug Williams, James “Shack” Harris and Howard Davis, we’re going to induct Dr. Brown with this year’s class of the Grambling Legends Sports Hall of Fame,” Higgins said as the room at the Courtyard by Marriott erupted into cheers and applause.
Brown said learning of the honor continued his feelings of almost being overpowered by emotions.
“I didn’t know that was going to happen — I certainly didn’t expect it,” Brown said. “It’s been so incredible meeting all of these people and being honored like this. I have been treated so well during all of this.
“It’s been an amazing experience.”
Former GSU and Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman Herman Arvie helped bring about Brown’s return to Grambling but was unable to make it himself last weekend after coming down with bronchitis.,
“I’ve heard it was an amazing thing to be part of,” Arvie said. “And I told him I’ll see him before the induction ceremony because I’ll be in the D.C. area for an upcoming Ravens ceremony and I told Dr. Brown I’ll make it a point to come and see him.
“And then hopefully we’ll both be back in Grambling for the Legends induction ceremony, because I’m part of this year’s class, too.”
That ceremony is set for July 13 at the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center.
