Special to the Advertiser

Ozzie Newsome, one of the top athletes in Alabama history at Colbert County High School in Leighton, is among 12 individuals who will be inducted in the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) National High School Hall of Fame Wednesday at the Boston Marriott Copley Place in Boston, Massachusetts.

The 32nd Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be the closing event of the 95th annual NFHS Summer Meeting.

Before his legendary career with the Cleveland Browns, Ozzie Newsome was one of the top three-sport athletes in Alabama history during his days at Colbert County High School in Leighton, Alabama.

Known as a pioneer, a trailblazer and a man with impeccable character, Newsome took advantage of the “Freedom of Choice” option allowed Alabama students in an effort to integrate and attended the predominately all-white Colbert County High School, where he was beloved by students and teachers alike.

Newsome helped Colbert County to the Class 3A state basketball championship in March of 1972, and later that year he led the football team to a 15-0 record and the Class 3A state football title. And if that wasn’t enough, in the spring of 1973, Newsome batted .350 for the Colbert County baseball team, which reached the Class 3A state finals.

Although Newsome averaged 16 points and earned all-state honors in basketball as a senior, football was his No. 1 sport. He would later say – even after his success at the college and professional levels – that winning the 1972 state football championship was his biggest thrill. He set the state record for receptions in a single season (80) in 1973 and finished his high school career with 173 receptions and 23 touchdowns.

Considered the top tight end in high school football history by longtime national sportswriter Doug Huff – also a member of the National High School Hall of Fame – Newsome was a two-time all-state selection in football and was named All-American as a senior. His teams at Colbert County lost only four games during his three-year career.

Newsome’s fame – both within the state of Alabama and across the country – grew during his four-year career at the University of Alabama. Playing for Bear Bryant, Newsome had 102 receptions for 2,070 yards and 16 touchdowns during his career with the Crimson Tide. Bryant said that Newsome was the “best receiver I ever coached.” He helped Alabama to three straight Southeastern Conference championships and earned All-American honors as a senior. In 1994, Newsome was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Newsome played 13 years with the Cleveland Browns (1978-90); and at the time of his retirement, he was the most productive tight end in NFL history. A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Newsome’s 662 receptions for 7,980 yards and 47 touchdowns stood as NFL records for a tight end until Shannon Sharpe surpassed those marks in 2001. (Tony Gonzalez has since broken Sharpe’s records.)

In 1999, Newsome was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Other honors include the Byron “Whizzer” White Award in 1990 as the NFL’s top community volunteer and the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1992. In 2000, Newsome was selected NFL Executive of the Year.

After serving in the front office of the Cleveland Browns for several years, Newsome moved to Baltimore with the organization in 1996, when he was named vice president of player personnel. In 2002, he was promoted to his current position of general manager/executive vice president – the first African-American general manager in NFL history.

Starting with Jonathan Ogden and Ray Lewis, Newsome has been heralded for his impressive draft choices. In the team’s first 17 drafts (1996-2012), Baltimore selected 17 first-rounders who have earned a total of 53 Pro Bowl honors. He also is the architect of the Ravens’ two Super Bowl victories in 2000 and 2012.

The National High School Hall of Fame was started in 1982 by the NFHS to honor high school athletes, coaches, contest officials, administrators, fine arts coaches/directors and others for their extraordinary achievements and accomplishments in high school sports and activity programs. This year’s class increases the number in the Hall of Fame to 423.