Brookwood High Football Finds New Way To Honor Billy Joe Young

BROOKWOOD, AL —Billy Joe Young Field at Brookwood High School has seen thousands come and go over the years, but the one constant has been its name. As time has marched on, though, it's easy for names to be forgotten, like the one gracing the stadium

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The name will not be going anywhere, as Brookwood builds a new football venue for its program, but preserving the memory was important from the outset.

It also prompted Brookwood High School to find a new way to remember the life of Billy Joe Young — a 15-year-old freshman running back who was injured and subsequently paralyzed during a football game in 1951.

Young wore No. 3, which the school says has not been worn by any other Brookwood High football player for many years.

The football program took to social media this week to announce the return of the number, which follows conversations with Linda Young Fisher on how best to ensure Billy Joe's legacy.

For the upcoming season, Brookwood football coach Mike Bramblett and his staff will select a skill position player at the end of of fall camp to wear the number.

"We simply wanted to do something to further honor Billy Joe Young and to keep his memory alive with Brookwood Football," Bramblett told Patch. "At the same time, bringing back No. 3 allows us to reinforce the core values of our program while recognizing and rewarding a player that truly brings those values to life each and every day. The Young family has meant so much to Brookwood and we will do everything possible to honor the family’s commitment to Brookwood."

The player will be selected "upon his commitment to the values of our 'R.E.A.L. Man Program' and 'The Panther Way.' This will be the highest honor a skill player can receive in our football program."

Starting as a 145-pound freshman at right halfback the night of Oct. 27, 1951 , according to one Associated Press wire account, Young suffered a neck injury during a 27-0 loss to Thompson High on the field that would one day be named after him.

In that same story, it mentions a nearly three-hour radio fundraiser held on WTBC and WJRD that raised $4,300 for a trust fund for the young man. The fundraiser was made possible by the Tuscaloosa Football Officials Association and the Tuscaloosa Lions Club.

According to Alabama High School football records, in the November immediately following Young's injury, the Panthers set out on its best stretch in school history to date, winning 10 consecutive games from Nov. 21, 1951 until Nov. 7, 1952.

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