Who Is This FL Legend in the Photo? 12/3/18

[OldSchoolLion]

He was one of the first Black players to start at qb for one the FL Big 3 universities.  He played for a FL high school in the early 1970's...a school that is well known for hs football today, but not nearly as much at the time.  After starting for 2 seasons in college, he converted to wide receiver.

For some perspective, 45 years ago there were no Black qb's in the NFL and only one in the SEC. 

Who is he, where did he play in college, and where did he play in high school?

   

[Wavebb]

Don Gaffney Raines UF?

[OldSchoolLion]

15 minutes ago, Wavebb said:

Don Gaffney Raines UF?

Good try, but no.

[OldSchoolLion]

Certain folks on this forum who follow a certain central FL high school with a unique nickname may be fixin to learn an interesting piece of history about that school....hmmm

This fellow played at the University of Miami.

[Stangs1]

20 hours ago, Wavebb said:

Don Gaffney Raines UF?

That was my thought 

[Dan in Daytona]

Terry LeCount, Raines

[OldSchoolLion]

16 minutes ago, Dan in Daytona said:

Terry LeCount, Raines

This fellow went to a central FL high school and the U of Miami, Dan.  LeCount was a Gator.  

[Dan in Daytona]

Freddie Solomon, U of Tampa

Kenny McMillian, Miami's 1st  black QB (worked construction with dad- Wade)

Eddie McAshan, Purple Hurricanes, 1st black southern white school QB

(edit) just throwing out early qb's of color  , that I saw play

 

[OldSchoolLion]

21 minutes ago, Dan in Daytona said:

Freddie Solomon, U of Tampa

Kenny McMillian, Miami's 1st  black QB (worked construction with dad- Wade)

Eddie McAshan, Purple Hurricanes, 1st black southern white school QB

(edit) just throwing out early qb's of color  , that I saw play

 

none of those, Dan.  Sorry.

[Dan in Daytona]

Just now, OldSchoolLion said:

none of those, Dan.  Sorry.

I know.....just spreading (useless) knowledge.....

[FL_HS_football]

The pic is of E.J. Baker became the second African American starting quarterback in University of Miami history. He followed Kary Baker (no relation) who was the first went to Miami Edison HS. A native of Lakeland, FL, E.J. Baker started for the Canes during the 1976 and 1977 seasons. He was moved to receiver in 1978, where he finished his career. His nephew Shannon Baker went on to play wide receiver at Florida State during the early 1990s. 

 

[OldSchoolLion]

It is EJ Baker, who graduated from Lakeland High in 1974.  He played at the U during a time when Lou Saban was coach, Ottis Anderson was an rb, and All-American defensive linemen Don Latimer and Don Smith were around.

Great job FL_HS_football!