Staff Report

The Rev. Dr. Cassandra Sligh Conway, left, passes the Golden Football to Jessie Reeder, who is on the Newberry County School Board.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_7-conway-and-board.jpgThe Rev. Dr. Cassandra Sligh Conway, left, passes the Golden Football to Jessie Reeder, who is on the Newberry County School Board. Courtesy photos

The Rev. Dr. Cassandra Sligh Conway passes the Golden Football to Superintendent Bennie Bennett.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_6.jpgThe Rev. Dr. Cassandra Sligh Conway passes the Golden Football to Superintendent Bennie Bennett. Courtesy photos

Richard “Tiny” Sligh, who passed away in 1998, was recently honored at Newberry High School as the recipient of the Golden Football in honor of National Football League’s 50th year.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_11249638_10207679754942691_5551641429413380357_n.jpgRichard “Tiny” Sligh, who passed away in 1998, was recently honored at Newberry High School as the recipient of the Golden Football in honor of National Football League’s 50th year. Courtesy photos

The Rev. Dr. Cassandra Sligh Conway and her husband, Wayne Conway.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_12-cassandra-and-wayne.jpgThe Rev. Dr. Cassandra Sligh Conway and her husband, Wayne Conway. Courtesy photos

NEWBERRY — Richard “Tiny” Sligh was recently honored at Newberry High School as the recipient of the Golden Football, honoring 50 years of the National Football League.

Richard’s daughter, the Rev. Dr. Cassandra Sligh Conway, and son-in-law, Wayne Conway, dedicated the Golden Football to several individuals during halftime at the boys basketball game. Sligh passed away in 1998.

“The golden ball is an honor to receive as my father, Richard Sligh, was a good man who believed in sports, mentoring children, and civil rights,” Cassandra Conway said. “More than anything, my father is still noted as the tallest NFL player as of this day. This is a great point to note in Black History month and in Newberry County.

“I know my father would be proud of housing the football at my high school, Newberry High School,” she added. “I am hopeful that the display will also honor his contributions to the Gallman High class that he graduated from in the 1960’s. It is such a great honor for my family to know that his legacy lives on forever. It’s a blessing.”