RICHARDSON, Texas – Former East Texas State football standout Autry Beamon has been selected as one of two inductees for the Lone Star Conference Hall of Honor, announced this afternoon by league officials.
Beamon and Abilene Christian's Delloreen Ennis-London comprise the 2012 class, which recognizes outstanding individuals who have brought pride and honor to the conference through their contributions as an athlete or who have demonstrated a long-term commitment to the betterment of the conference as a coach or administrator. The inductees were chosen by a panel of athletic administrators throughout the league.
"Autry and Delloreen are most deserving of this high honor," said LSC Commissioner Stan Wagnon. "Today in the Lone Star Conference we talk of how the league has such rich tradition and how we are committed to being the very best at everything we do. Certainly Autry and Delloreen contributed greatly to those ideals."
Beamon continues to remain one of the most prolific players in the Lone Star Conference's proud history. To this day, Beamon remains the only player in Lion history to be named a four-time first team All-LSC selection, earning the honor in each of his four seasons at defensive back.
Beamon was a three-time Associated Press All-American, earning first team honors in 1973, while being named a four-time NAIA All-American, including first team recognition in 1973 and 1974.
He concluded his career with 30 interceptions, which ranks first all-time in school history as well as among the LSC leaders, while his 535 interception return yards remains a conference career record to this day. Beamon also holds the LSC record for interception return yardage in a single game (122) and season (318).
During his four seasons, Beamon helped lead the Lions to the conference championship in 1972, and played a critical role in helping East Texas State to the 1972 NAIA national championship.
Following his playing days, Beamon was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings and went on to play seven seasons in the NFL, suiting up for the Seattle Seahawks and Cleveland Browns as well. Beamon played in 100 career NFL games and tallied 13 interceptions for 132 yards, including a career-best six interceptions for the Seahawks in 1977. Beamon also played in Super Bowl XI at the Rose Bowl with the Vikings following the 1976 season.
Born in Terrell and residing in Kaufman, Beamon was inducted to the A&M-Commerce Hall of Fame in 1985 and the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame in 2010. He was a teammate of LSC Hall of Honor inductee Harvey Martin as the two anchored the Lions' defensive unit during the 1972 national championship run.
Beamon becomes the 11th LSC Hall of Honor inductee from East Texas State/A&M-Commerce, tying Texas A&M-Kingsville for the most inductees from a single institution. The Lions have now had one former athlete, coach or administrator inducted into the Hall of Fame in nine of the last 10 years.
Beamon will be presented with his 2012 Lone Star Conference Hall of Honor trophy at the Lone Star Football Festival on Thursday, September 13 when A&M-Commerce squares off against Midwestern State at Cowboys Stadium.
Lion Lone Star Conference Hall of Honor Inductees
Autry Beamon (2012) • Football
Delmer Brown (1996) • Coach/Trainer
Dr. Bill Crabtree (2007) • Coach
Ernest Hawkins (2004) • Coach
Dr. Jesse Hawthorne (1996) • Administrator
Arthur James (2008) • Football
Harvey Martin (2010) • Football
Sam McCord (2006) • Football
L.I. Smith (2005) • Administrator
Dwight White (2011) • Football
Wade Wilson (2003) • Football
