Hall of Honor Returns with Five Inductees
October 19, 2009

By Katelynn Twilley, Connor Mulkey and Cody Horton
Lion Ledger Staff

	Lion Ledger Photo Mr. Earl Thomas addresses the crowd about his accomplishments.

On October 2nd, three former GHS football players with careers in the NFL and two other outstanding high school athletes were inducted into the Greenville Hall of Honor.  Ray Stone, the producer of the "Cowboys Football Report" and "Inside the NFL," served as guest speaker of the luncheon.

The selection committees honors were for former students with not only a history of success at GHS but a life of accomplishment for others to emulate.

"They had to have accomplished something with their lives after high school for induction into the Hall of Honor," said Coach Phillips, GHS athletic director.

The five inductees for this year are:  Jay Arnold, Earl Thomas, Nate Mason, Meshell Graham and T.A. "Cotton" Ford.

Lion Ledger Photo Nathaniel Mason, Jr. accepts his father's plaque at the Hall of Honor ceremony.

Arnold played for Greenville in 1931 earning a state quarterfinal victory and went on to play for the University of Texas, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Arnold was honored posthumously, as he died in 1982.

Thomas also played in the NFL for the Houston Cougars, Chicago Bears, St. Louis Cardinals, and Houston Oilers.

His advice to GHS students about achievement is to "be committed, listen to your coaches, and you can have a very successful athletic career," Thomas said.

	Lion Ledger Photo Meshell Graham accepts here honor plaque from Coach Phillips.

Another posthumous induction was given to football player and school coach, Nathaniel "Nate" Mason, playing for the Lions from 1976-1979 and earning all-district honors.  After high school he played for the Nebraska Cornhuskers with three appearances in the Orange Bowl before coming back to Greenville to coach for Greenville High School.  He also gave to the community as a Boys and Girls club coach.  Nathaniel "N.J." Mason, Jr., a stand out GHS player, accepted the award on his father's behalf.

Meshell Graham was the only female inductee.  She played basketball, volleyball, and participated in track from 1980-1984 earning all district honors in basketball.  She went to college at A&M University-Commerce, playing basketball for the Lions and scoring a total of 1,600 career points.

T.A. "Cotton" Ford, the man honored with our football stadium in his name, was the fifth inductee into the Hall of Honor.  He coached for Greenville track and football in the 1970s and 80s, making many appearances at state meets and earning team titles in 1972, 1973, and 1981.

His wife, Mrs. Ford, accepted his award for him saying, "He cared a great deal about the students."