Rogers Hampton Sr.

Connection:  Longtime Shreveport resident.  Graduated Fair Park High School

Sport:  Track and Field, Football, Basketball

Achievements:  Regarded by many as the "greatest athlete Shreveport has ever produced" despite his 5'6" stature.  Played multiple sports at Fair Park.  Played guard for the Indian basketball team, but often jumped center due to his freakish athletic ability.  In 1951, Rogers competed at the Louisiana State Track and Field meet and won the 100 yard dash with a time of 9.8 seconds; also won the shot-put becoming the first Louisiana high schooler to throw past 51 feet; also won the long jump becoming the first high schooler to jump past 21 feet.  Earned a scholarship to play football at Baylor University but eventually transferred to McNeese State where he put together an athletic career that resulted in his induction into the McNeese State Hall of Fame. Two-time All-Gulf States Conference selection.  He was drafted by the Chicago Bears, but chose to sign a contract with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. Also a member of the Ark-La-Tex Track and Field Hall of Fame, the Louisiana High School Hall of Fame and the Ark-La-Tex Sports Museum of Champions. Following an injury shortened pro football career, he became a body-builder in 1964 and was named the first ever Mr. Shreveport.