Stephen F. Austin, the third Port Arthur school that closed in 2001, sent two players to the NFL. Linebacker Eric Alexander won a Super Bowl ring with the New England Patriots and hopes to add to his collection. Duriel Harris had enough big days as a Dolphins receiver to get his name in Miami’s record book.

Two Memorial Titans, teammates on the first team the school fielded, have also found their way into the NFL. Jamaal Charles, the fourth all-time leading rusher at the University of Texas, is looking to make an impact in his second season with Kansas City. James Johnson reached the NFL the hard way, making it as a free agent with Cincinnati.

For all the players, Port Arthur’s most famous football name is a coach. TJ ex Jimmy Johnson won a national championship in college at the University of Miami and led the Dallas Cowboys to back-to-back Super Bowl titles. But for a falling out with owner Jerry Jones, he might well have won two or three more rings.

While football has been Port Arthur’s calling card at the highest level, basketball and baseball have made their presence felt.

Lincoln’s Jackson was on an NBA champion in San Antonio and has become one of the game’s better players at Golden State. The Bumble Bees B.J. Tyler was a first round draft choice of the Philadelphia 76ers. Evans, probably Port Arthur’s most talented player, was the first to reach the NBA, going from Lincoln, to USC, to UNLV and to the Detroit Pistons.

As for baseball, the aforementioned Hernandez, now the pitching coach for the AAA Durham Bulls, and McElroy both enjoyed lengthy and successful major league careers pitching for teams in both leagues.

Lincoln ex named Lee Richard, however, owns the distinction of getting to the bigs first. A shortstop, Richard spent five years with the Chicago White Sox and St. Louis Cardinals from 1971-76. Bet most of you didn’t know that.

One other Port Arthuran who can’t be overlooked in baseball is TJ grad Tom Hicks. Hicks, as most everyone knows, is the billionaire owner of the Texas Rangers.

All in all, it’s quite a cast of high achievers and one that gives Port Arthur serious sports bragging rights.

Sports editor Bob West can be e-mailed at rdwest@usa.net