Legendary UNT Football Trailblazer Abner Haynes Dies at 86

DENTON, Texas – Legendary UNT Football trailblazer Abner Haynes, one of the first Black players to integrate major college football at a four-year university in Texas, died Thursday in Dallas.

He was 86.

In 1956, Haynes and Dr. Leon King became the first Black student-athletes to play major college football in Texas when they became members of the North Texas freshman team. Both would move to the varsity as sophomore in 1957.

During the 2022 season, Haynes' legacy was permanently cemented in UNT history with the opening of the Unity Plaza that honors Haynes and King for their vast accomplishments.

A two-time all-Missouri Valley Conference running back for the Eagles, Haynes ranked seventh in the nation in rushing and fifth in scoring as a senior in 1959. He led North Texas to an appearance in the 1959 Sun Bowl and was named an All-American by Time Magazine that same year. He was inducted into the UNT Athletics Hall of Fame in 1986.

In 1959, Haynes earned two Missouri Valley All-Conference honors, and would later be named to the Missouri Valley's All-Centennial Team. After moving to the varsity squad in 1957, despite the racial hurdles he faced, Haynes led the Mean Green in rushing for three years.

In 1960, Haynes was selected twice to play pro ball, drafted by the Steelers of the NFL but signed by the Dallas Texans of the American Football League. In his rookie year, Haynes led the AFL in rushing and was the league's first Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year. From 1960 to 1962, Haynes led the league in rushing touchdowns, was top three in rushing yards, and was first-team All-AFL. In 1961, he scored five touchdowns in one game and 19 for the season, and, in the 1962 AFL Championship game, Haynes scored two touchdowns as the Texans (which later became the Kansas City Chiefs) beat the Houston Oilers, 20-17, to win the league crown.

Haynes retired in 1967, and the Chiefs retired his number in 1988. Haynes was named to the All-Time All-AFL second team and was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 2008.

-- GMG --

Calendar

Upcoming Events