MINEOLA, Texas — The city of Mineola honored three former football players from Addie E. McFarland High School with a Proclamation Day.
Hall of Famers Joe Lawrence “Slow Motion” Tave, 78, Marvin “Duckey” Howard Sampson, 80, and Alfred Lloyd “Bubba” Tennyson, 77, were honored with a Proclamation Day, the McFarland Bears Athletes' Day on Nov. 27
Councilwoman Cassandra Sampson, Councilman Mitchell Tuck, and Mayor Pro-Tem Sue Jones awarded Tennyson, Joe Tave, and Marvin Sampson's son Cedric Sampson (who passed away) with a plaque.
"We appreciated what these men have accomplished during their time at Addie E. McFarland and for the city of Mineola they will all always have a special place in our hearts," the city of Mineola said.
The three football players graduated from Addie E. McFarland High School, an all-Black high school where they played football under Coach R.L. Gregory.
Joe Tave was a three-year letterman and team captain who played center his sophomore year and left guard his last two seasons in 1963 and 1964. His brothers Otis Tave and Samuel Bryant played in the left offensive line for two years and during the 1963 State 1A Championship through the fall of 1964.
Gregory gave Joe Tave his nickname, “Slow Motion” because he appeared to be barely moving while running. Joe Tave continued his education at Wiley College, then at East Texas University-Commerce where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in pre-law/political science and sociology and a master's degree in counseling and student personal. He was an educator and businessman until he retired after 25 years.
Marvin Sampson was a star running back and part of the team that won the state championship in 1961. He also played trumpet in the marching band. He enjoyed playing football with his team and being part of the marching band. He graduated from McFarland in 1962. Marvin earned a scholarship to Prairie View College, now known as Prairie View A&M University. He worked at GE/Trane Technologies Tyler for 39 years until he retired.
Tennyson was a quarterback from 1964 to 1965. He was great at play calling, reading defenses, and passing to two talented ends, Otis Tave and Rufus Jackson. He was part of the last class to graduate from McFarland in 1966. After high school, he joined the U.S. Air Force, where he served in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. Alfred attended Tyler Junior College and later worked at GE/Trane Technologies in Tyler for 38 years before retiring.
McFarland High School closed its doors in 1966 as students integrated into the Mineola school system for the fall semester of 1966.
Joe Tave, Tennyson and Marvin's granddaughter, Tara Sampson, attended the Hall of Honor and Hall of Fame Banquet in Houston, where the players were also inducted into the Prairie View Interscholastic League of Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
