Comments on: The Legend of Rooster Jones

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 21:28:19 +0000

A few years have pasted since the post. Most of it was correct – I will shoot the correct facts. Rooster did play for a brief period of time in the old USFL (the Pittsburg team I think). His cousin Lynn Thomas (who went with him to Pitt — cousin Pappy Thomas was a year behind) played for San Francisco 49ers for a year of two and played in the 1981 (plus or minus a few years) super bowl. Lynn recovered a fumble late in that game. As for Pappy, I recall him playing in one of the college football all star games (not sure about pros).

Regarding Rooster’s ability, you could tackle him – if you could catch him. He ran a 4.6, 40 yard dash which was fast in those days. There was another running back at Pascagoula High (Ben Gary) who played for a few years for the Baltimore Colts, who was bigger, stronger and faster. Ben’s problem was that he was not surrounded by as many good football playes as Rooster (more than 10 boys got D-1 scholarships from that team).

By: ZEEK

ZEEK — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 16:15:39 +0000

Baba- Thanks for your kind words for Mary(mom). Yes, she was one of a kind and I do miss her so. Glad she made an impression on your life.

By: Baba

Baba — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 01:02:18 +0000

Zeek, your mother was the best English teacher EVER. She made Shakespeare come alive. I can still recite the monologue from Canteberry Tales—in Old English. Great lady.

By: ZEEK

ZEEK — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 17:14:22 +0000

Of course it existed, JLou. There was never a doubt about that. I was just hoping to get a former Panther from that era to elaborate/reminisce on it. I only print the gospel honey!!! Where the heck is Quail? I bet he remembers!!

By: Jessie Lou

Jessie Lou — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 16:17:32 +0000

Yes, Randy – you would probably enjoy the content on this page alot. I should have told you about it before and just never thought to do it.

Zeek – my sister remembered that poem only vaguely – it did exist; however, she could not remember the words at all.

By: travellinbaen

travellinbaen — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 16:11:02 +0000

Randy, thanks for taking the time to comment. Hope you make yourself at home here on the blog.

By: RANDY TORJUSEN

RANDY TORJUSEN — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 15:43:22 +0000

THIS STORY IS VERY ACCURATE AS TO THE LIFE THAT WE LIVED DURING THE ERA OF GREAT ROOSTER JONES

By: ZEEK

ZEEK — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 05:37:26 +0000

Quail may remember this, maybe not, but I distinctly remember my mom recounting in great detail a poem that Rooster penned and recited at the pep rally for the ’76 Moss Point game. She either had a copy of it, or just memorized it, but she used to recite it. The climax/final stanza of this poem I will never forget. Mr. Jim Milstead was the principal at the time (my all time favorite PHS principal, even though gone before I matriculated) and he had a prominently bald head. As a tribute/poke to Mr. Milstead, Rooster ended his masterpiece as follows: “So when the mighty Panthers hit that line, the Bald-Headed Wizard’s head do shine!!” What a classic!! Any of you old Panthers remember that??

By: travellinbaen

travellinbaen — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 15:46:52 +0000

Thanks for the comment and I hope all you Pitt fans that came over weren’t too disappointed in the post. I do appreciate y’all visiting (spiking my stats) and hope you will look around. On the upside, the comments had a lot of good info and stories. He really remains a legend in Pascagoula, a town that reveres its champions as much, maybe more than any. That whole ’76 team, and the ’87 Panthers both, and a few old timers even recall the ’48 champs. Don’t know if we’ll see another one for awhile.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:55:49 +0000

I am pretty sure Rooster works for University of Pittsburgh’s Campus Police. At least when I was there in the 90′s he did. Cool dude…but never let you into Trees Hall without your ID even if he knew you by name.