[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 113 (Tuesday, July 9, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E706]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE LIFE OF COACH DOUG BLEVINS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 9, 2024

  Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Coach 
Doug Blevins, who passed away on March 9th, at the age of 60.
  Coach Blevins was born with cerebral palsy. While his condition 
confined him to a wheelchair for his life, he was not deterred in 
pursuing a career in the sport of football.
  As a student at Abingdon High School, Mr. Blevins served as a student 
assistant coach, specializing in the kicking game. He would continue 
his education at Virginia Highlands Community College, University of 
Tennessee, and Emory & Henry University seeking more student coaching 
opportunities. Coach Blevins would stay close to home, starting his own 
consulting firm and assisting prospective kicking talents at summer 
camps, clinics and more.
  In 1994, Coach Blevins was hired to be a consultant for the New York 
Jets. He would go on to coach for several years in the National 
Football League, working for the Miami Dolphins and NFL Hall of Fame 
Coach Jimmy Johnson, New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings. From 
1995 to 2000, he served as kicking coordinator for the NFL Europe 
League. He earned the remarkable achievement of becoming the NFL's 
first-ever disabled coach.
  Mr. Blevins' success as a coach caught the attention of many talented 
kickers dreaming of playing in the NFL. Modern-day kicking legends, 
Adam Vinatieri and Justin Tucker, are just two of 26 current and former 
NFL kickers and punters who were trained and mentored by Coach Blevins.
  Coach Blevins' years of hard work and tutoring prompted a significant 
recognition from the NFL community: his nomination to the NFL Pro 
Football Hall of Fame. Perhaps, someday he will be inducted.
  Most recently, he served as the kicking specialist at East Tennessee 
State University (ETSU), his alma mater, and as a volunteer assistant 
on the football staff at Science Hill High School.
  Coach Blevins' inspirational journey from Southwest Virginia to the 
NFL, and his contributions to the sport of football, will not be 
forgotten--along with his kindness and compassion for others. Despite 
his lifelong disability, Coach Blevins followed his dreams of coaching 
football and helped scores of young football players develop and 
succeed in the sport. May his legacy live on.

                          ____________________