Four new members inducted into Albany Sports Hall of Fame

ALBANY — Somewhere in the middle of Dr. Wilburn Campbell’s induction speech Monday night during the Albany Sports Hall of Fame banquet at the Hilton Garden Inn, he encouraged the capacity crowd to stand up and give the four newest members a big applause.

“Not everyone can say they got to come up to a standing ovation,” joked Campbell, the longtime Albany State University athletic director. “Thank you. I do appreciate it.”

Campbell set the tone for a fun-filled night where former Monroe High School track & field athlete and current Seattle Seahawk Ricardo Lockette, former Westover football and Oklahoma Sooner Antwone Savage and former Deerfield-Windsor and Clemson University basketball standout Andre Young were inducted.

While the four newest members were the highlight, the Albany Sports Hall of Fame recognized players of the year at the four Dougherty County public schools as well as Sherwood Christian Academy and Deerfield-Windsor School.

Albany High’s Joe Stone, Dougherty’s Cedric Bryant, Monroe’s Antonio Leroy, Westover’s Emory McKenzie, Sherwood Christian’s Dylan Evans and Deerfield-Windsor’s Tyler Lowe were honored as players of the year, while McKenzie, Shemiyah Johnson and Dani Newman were recognized as scholar winners.

Before Lockette was introduced, Seattle coach Pete Carroll sent a congratulatory pre-recorded message to the former Monroe standout.

Lockette was in the middle of a promising 2015 season until a devastating injury ended his season after just eight games. While playing on punt coverage against the Cowboys, Lockette was blindsided by Dallas safety Jeff Heath. He was motionless on the field for several minutes while being tended by trainers. Lockette suffered a concussion and ligament damage to his neck due to the hit.

“I thank God, Jesus Christ, Jehovah, or whatever you all choose to call him, and thank you all for the prayers,” Lockette said. “Without those prayers, I wouldn’t be standing here today.”

The unrestricted free agent said he doesn’t know if he will return to the football field.

“That’s not a big decision for me,” Lockette told his family and supporters. “I never had big dreams of playing in the NFL and the Super Bowl. I just said that I wanted to be great and make ya’ll a lot of money. If I don’t play again, I’ll just think of something else to be great at.”

Savage gave perhaps the quickest speech. With his family in attendance, he reiterated the support he has received from them throughout his career.

“My mom, dad, wife and kids, they’ve always supported me in everything, not just sports,” Savage said. “I just don’t want to let people down. If they’re happy, I’m happy.”

The humble Young was the final inductee and he thanked those who played a key role in helping him play collegiately at Clemson as well as professionally overseas.

“Basketball is a team sport,” he said before the ceremony. “Even though I am being recognized, it is not an individual accolade thing. This whole thing would not have been possible without certain people like my family, coaches, teammates and all the people who came to watch me throughout my career.”