Francis speaks to local Pee Wee team

Wallace “Boley” Francis, former Park Avenue High Rattler, Arkansas Pine Bluff Alumni and NFL Great Buffalo Bills (Atlanta Falcon), recently spoke to the Bayou Teche Pee Wee Football League on O’Neal Chube Drive. This street was renamed in honor of his high school coach.

Wallace elaborated on the virtues of how football can teach fair play, sportsmanship, and build character. He told them that it is a sport where youths learn to cooperate, associate, depend on other and work with others. Also, he addressed the topics of self-respect, work ethic, self-discipline, observation of rules regarding the rights of others and staying within bounds dictated by decency and sportsmanship. The coaches and players were very much inspired by Wallace’s ability to not only teach football skills but also contribute to the youth progressing spiritually, mentally and physically.
“Coaching the youth is honorable and dignified. We are in a position to teach desirable attitudes which will remain with the youth throughout their lives. We have the opportunity to teach tangible lessons to our players that will be priceless to them in the future. Lessons can be learned on the athletic field.”
Francis reflected on how he looked up to Billy Cannon, an LSU ALL American, who inspired him to set a goal to play in the NFL. In order to do that, he had to put in a lot of hard work and run up and down a lot of bleachers at Park Avenue High Stadium. Boley grew up playing in Broussard Harris Park.
An old Rattler said “Boley” was a do it all Football player at Park Avenue High. The night of a game, he would have white tape around his ankles and shoes. And when the band, led by Drum Major Dallas Johnson, would strike up the song “The Horse,” Boley would run like one. He was called “The Horse,” “The Ground Mover” and “The Crowd Pleaser” because of his ability to make things happen.
The majority of the youth football team players attend F. J.H.S. (formerly Park Avenue High) after hearing all of these wonderful accolades about a local professional football player who attended their school; they realize that greatness can come out of F.J.H.S.
Wallace “Boley” Francis resides in Atlanta, Georgia where he is a Minister for Ambassadors for Christ.
Councilman Lester Levine, Coach Joseph Thomas, Gerald Spain, Donald Foulcard, Wallace Francis, Cruz Sanchez were on hand.