From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Willie Galimore (March 30, 1935 - July 27,
1964) was an American football running back for the
Chicago Bears
from 1957-1963. He attended Florida A&M University,
working with the legendary coach Jake Gaither. Galimore is a member
of the College Football Hall of
Fame.
Galimore possessed incredible speed and lateral movement; many
of the opposing players of the time stated that they believed
Galimore could run side-to-side down the field just as fast as most
men could in a straight line. His running style could be said to
most resemble the style of Billy Sims or perhaps Terrell Davis, but
faster.
In a documentary short by NFL Films on Galimore, it was said that he
was probably the last great find before NFL scouting became
sophisticated. His peers (including Chuck Bednarik and Doug Atkins) referred
to Galimore as one of the best runners they ever faced.
Galimore was killed in an automobile accident on July 27, 1964
in Rensselaer, Indiana at the age of
29 with teammate Bo
Farrington. His number 28 has been retired by the Bears.[1]
His son, Ron Galimore, was the first Black U.S. Olympic
gymnast.
Willie Galimore's last visit to his hometown of St. Augustine,
Florida came just weeks before his death, and he participated in
civil rights demonstrations there, becoming the first Black person
who was able to register as a guest at the previously all-white
Ponce de Leon Motor Lodge (where the arrest of the 72 year old
mother of the governor of Massachusetts for trying to be served in
a racially integrated group had made national headlines a few
months before). Galimore's civil rights activism is honored with a
Freedom Trail marker at his home at 57 Chapin Street in St.
Augustine. His widow, Mrs. Audrey Galimore, took part in the
dedication of the marker on July 2, 2007. A community center in the
historic Lincolnville neighborhood of the city also bears
Galimore's name, and he is depicted on a historical mural painted
by schoolchildren on Washington Street.