Austin Peay State University Hall of recipient James Green credits Bulldog fundamentals

Photo: Hall of Fame Induction {Contributed Photo}

James Green never started a game for the Thomasville Bulldogs.

In fact, he never saw the field on Friday nights the way most young players dream about. But nearly five decades later, the Thomasville native is headed into the Austin Peay State University Hall of Fame as its 148th inductee.

Green starred on the defensive line for Austin Peay State University, whose athletic teams are known as the Governors, from 1975–77. A three-year letterwinner, two-time First Team All-Ohio Valley Conference selection and captain of the Govs’ first OVC Championship team in 1977, Green’s 189 career tackles still rank 10th in program history and second-most by a player who competed in three or fewer seasons.

But his journey began quietly in Thomasville.

“I was on the team, but I didn’t start playing until I was a junior in high school,” Green said. “I didn’t get a chance to make the starting team because they didn’t really know me. So I was just on the team.”

Though he didn’t play often, Green was learning.

“I learned how to play the game in Thomasville and I took that to college,” he said. “I give the coaches there a lot of credit as far as teaching me how to get away from blocks and stuff like that. They taught me well, even though I did not play.”

Green said when he arrived in college, he realized the lessons he absorbed from the sidelines gave him an edge.

“When I went to college, I thought I knew more than some of the other kids did, and I didn’t even play in high school.”

Before Austin Peay, Green spent a year at Chowan College in eastern North Carolina. It was there that opportunity finally met preparation. After playing in a junior college all-star game, Austin Peay coaches took notice.

He had other options, including interest from North Carolina State, but when one program offered only a partial scholarship, Green trusted his instincts. Austin Peay called him every day for nearly two weeks.

James Green number 79 goes in to sack an opposing quarterback

“They sent a plane. I got on the plane and went to Austin Peay,” Green said. “And that was it.”

At Austin Peay, Green became a force on the defensive line. He said he played the position well, “Because I like hit people.”

The team had gone 1–9— 1 the year before he transferred and finished 3–8–1 in his first season. Green made a promise to the coach who recruited him. He voted all conference unanimously.

“I said by the time I leave here, we’re going to win a championship,” he said.

By 1977, they did just that, capturing the Ohio Valley Conference Championship. Green served as captain of that team and earned Associated Press All-America Honorable Mention honors. He now becomes the fourth defensive player from the 1977 championship squad to enter the Hall of Fame, joining former teammates Ron Sebree, Mike Betts and Bob Bible.

“Being the captain of that championship football team, that made me so proud,” Green said. “And I did it without playing in high school.”

{Contributed Photo}

Green currently lives in Illinois, north of Chicago. A retired high school special education teacher who worked with students with behavioral needs, he built a life around mentorship and service. He also served on the security staff for the Chicago Cubs during their 2016 World Series championship season.

He has a daughter, Sherlenia, who lives in Charlotte, along with grandchildren Zoey and Zane.

For Green, the Hall of Fame honor is deeply personal.

“Oh my God, that’s the greatest,” he said. “I’m the 148th inductee in school history. That means a lot to me.”

Thomasville may not have seen him dominate on Friday nights. But the Bulldogs gave him something just as important: a foundation.

Nearly 50 years later, that foundation carried him to the Austin Peay Hall of Fame.