[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 123 (Wednesday, September 25, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1647]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN MEMORIUM OF BOB HAYES,

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CORRINE BROWN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 24, 2002

  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is with sorrow that I announce 
the passing of my friend, Bob Hayes, at the age of 59.
  ``Bullet'' Bob, a Jacksonville native, was known as the world's 
fastest man for his efforts in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. In addition to 
winning the gold medal in the hundred-meter race, tying the world-
record of 10.05 seconds, he also anchored the 400-meter relay team to 
victory with a time of 8.6. Not a bad day's work for the then Florida 
A&M junior.
  For many athletes, the Olympics would be the culmination of an 
athletic career, but Hayes, switching sports to football and recruited 
by the Cowboys (after finishing up with the Rattlers), went on to 
redefine how football is played. In his rookie year, Bullet had 1,003 
yards and 12 touchdowns, and his speed forced opposing teams to come up 
with zone defenses now common in pro play.
  In 1972, when Dallas won the Super Bowl, Hayes became the only 
athlete to earn a Super Bowl ring and an Olympic gold medal. He retired 
in 1975 having made 9 consecutive playoff appearances, 3 Pro Bowl 
showings, two Super Bowl appearances, and earning a Cowboys receiving 
record of 371 catches for 7,414 yards with 71 touchdowns.
  Hayes did not forget his roots, and returned home to Jacksonville. He 
remained active in the Bob Hayes Invitational Track and Field Meet, now 
in its 38th year. At the Bob Hayes Invitational in Jacksonville, 3500 
high school and middle school athletes gain experience in competing on 
a national level against world class competition. He also attended as 
many Florida A&M games as he possibly could.
  Just last year Hayes was the 11th inductee to the prestigious Dallas 
Cowboys' Ring of Honor. And, earlier this year, he received the 
Lifetime Achievement Award at the Seventh Annual Florida Sports Awards.
  Bob ``Bullet'' Hayes died last Wednesday. He is survived by his 
mother, a brother and a sister, and five children.
  I also submit the following article from the September 20th issue of 
the Gainesville Sun into the Record.

          [lsqb]From the Gainesville Sun, Sept. 20, 2002[rsqb]

                        Jackson Remembers Hayes

       Bob Hayes' speed made a difference for blacks during the 
     tumultuous 1960s, the Rev. Jesse Jackson said Thursday.
       ``He was such a lift for our generation,'' said Jackson, 
     who played football against Hayes and the powerful Florida 
     A&M teams of the early 1960s. ``He was the best in the whole 
     world at what he did.''
       Jackson's North Carolina A&T team was just one of many 
     schools routed on an annual basis by Hayes and the Rattlers.
       ``You couldn't catch him. No one could,'' he said. ``The 
     fact is nobody could catch Bob Hayes in the whole world.''

     

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