A Trojan Called Viking

By Cornel M. Boyd

In this candid memoir, Cornel Boyd discusses his life and his love of football. Boyd also explores the challenges of growing up in the seventies with his family and friends, at a time when racism was rampant in many parts of the country, excluding Washington, DC, where he spent part of his time.

Football was a positive and significant facet of Boyd’s life from an early age. He went from playing football on playgrounds to playing very well in high school; his life centered on the sport, which was so important to his football-loving school and town.

Boyd touches upon the more painful aspects of his early life as well; he endured sexual abuse while young, the devastation this caused in his life took a great deal of time to overcome. In school, he wondered whether anyone else was experiencing the shame and humiliation that was part of his everyday life. Spending time in Washington, DC, brought a welcome relief from the abuse, as did playing football and hanging out with his friends.

Affecting and inspiring, A Trojan Called Viking provides an honest look at a life full of challenges and successes set against a backdrop of football and friendship.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Mar 20, 2015
• ISBN: 9781491749173

Cornel M. Boyd

Cornel earned his A.S. degree at Chowan-College (University) in 1977 majoring in Pre-education though he has been a painter for about 30 years his love of poetry and writing has become a major part of his life. This is Boyd’s first book based on a true story.

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Copyright © 2015 Cornel M. Boyd.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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ISBN: 978-1-4917-4918-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4917-4917-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014918530

iUniverse rev. date: 12/06/2021

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Me and the love of my life my mother Ms. Lillie Mae Boyd.

I love you ma.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

To God my Creator

"To everything there is a season, and a time to every

purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes, Ch. 3:1

Lord I want to thank you for being God all

by yourself because in this life I have

Discern that if some of the people in my life

had a thumb as big and powerful as

Yours they would have used it to crush me

out of this world long before now.

Their reason being I haven’t lived my life up to their expectations.

It seems as if they feel their lives are better and they are living

among us faultless and squeaky clean. That you talk to them only

giving them the green light to your word as we all have access

to offering up prayer to plead for your mercy and forgiveness.

M a everything I am you except and treat me like gold. There is no other heart beat like yours. There are no words that really can express the thanks for the pain it took for you to bare me into this world. You are the reason for whatever I am and it is a great feeling for me to actually have an accumulation of words in the form of a book to dedicate to you for the world to see, and to ask you to forgive me for tearing up two of your cars which I know you have long done. Most of all Ma I want you to give me that smile as in it is all good. Above all you will comfort me and make me feel and see that it is never too late. Show The Lord a willingness to step out into my space and use what he has given me. Know that it is He not me and I must trust and believe. I want to thank you for that and I thank God Almighty for allowing you to be my ma. I know the Lord has got this whole wide world in His Hand but I believe until women sit in high places and where ever they deserve to be we will be putting a hold on the display of a great portion of God’s umnipotent power because He is for two and there is a side longing and she has proven since the rising of Christ that she . . . . belong. On Mother’s Day and every day it’s just not enough I love you and roses. You showed me the strength of a single black woman and her wisdom. Your eyes are like shiny stars I see no other place on this universe. They never change. You know I have had a lot of life’s flats so I stop at your station to inhale your air of love. It pumps me up and I get raring to go on. I love you so many times.

To my daddy through the years there was nothing but love just at the mention of your name lit me up like a Christmas tree. I had to do some growing and in the process I made a ton of mistakes. Of course some of them were serious and at some of those nothing but your voice only could persuade me. I think that is why God wants the man to take the children instead of the woman in case of a break up. We as men are glad for her to take them. But it is not her job, it’s ours. I have not been perfect either. So I thought about how it would be wrong to not to forgive and forget. The real truth is if it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t exist, period. That in itself can never be over looked. Whatever I become in this world large, medium or small it is all because of you. Had you not planted this seed there would be no me. I will always put that above any disagreements or other negative reactions that has passed. There are some people who never seen their dad and would like to no matter what. Some don’t want to see their dad because of something he did or didn’t do. Not thinking that they are a being because of him. I know things can be easily said than done. I am thankful that we had enough time through all these years to mend our broken fences. You are very much a part of me as I am a part of you and it’s good to say love prevailed.

Lan I won’t give anything for the road the Lord allowed me and you to travel in such an unexplainable way. I want to make you proud of me and thank you for the soft pushes to put me back on track when I needed them. The comforting words we exchange in troubled times. Keep trying is one of my favorites coming from you to me. That makes me proud of you when you become the mentor and I take the pupil role. As best friends we took on some of the patterns of each other and have had what we called some good times. It has been some bad times that only got to surface. I am thankful you have a nice wife in Angel and the continuation of my line of offspring. Making me a granddaddy and a great granddaddy is very appalling. Being of understanding is the key to the rest of our relationship. I can’t ask God for anything better after I see the way some other father and son kinship looking wreck less and hopeless. The respect you have for me and the respect I have for you is heavenly and I love you. This whole relationship stems from your mother Clara who didn’t poison you against me like I have witnessed some mothers do. I really thank her for that too because I didn’t do a lot of the things I was assigned to as a man and father. I pray, hope and wish nothing but the best for you in this life. A life without worry and hardship.

Columbus and Pricilla Baker were jewels in our lives. They truly loved us. Mary Kate who we called mama showed us with two fingers missing on her left hand wasn’t stopping her. She was all woman and we loved her to death. I can remember your smiles still. I know you would be proud. Mabry Johnson I didn’t get to meet you to call you granddaddy.

To my family I owe for patience. For looking to where I can see you looking at my progression, not to press but to measure my promises. The things I put myself on the line for you to question and hold me accountable for what comes out of my mouth as task. I hope these words are evident to you that your tactics worked or I didn’t want to disappoint you one. From here I have intentions of giving you more of what it is left for you to be delighted. Of course around the table I know we are going to call this a miracle right? Thanks for all the un- conditional love and affection. It wouldn’t be right if I didn’t have a way of giving you some un-expected wondering or make you ponder on what I say is going to be and actually do it. It feels good knowing you believe in me. Thanks for letting me have you sit down and LISTEN to me? I love yall.

Ms. Rosslyn Bryant has kept so much room in her heart for me and always had nothing but love and a quiet strong spirit. I want her to know in the mist of our lack of communication I am speaking to her with love and I hope this is loud and ever so clear that she hear me. You are one of the most beautiful, thoughtful and understanding people I ever met. I certainly hope I make you smile. I love you…. Rah –SA.

W. A. Pattillo Primary, Elementary and High School has a tremendous effect on the pronunciation and diction. You are my foundation which I try to keep alert of because when I read, I read for you. When I write, I write for you. When I recite, I recite for you. You are a strong representation of me I am a strong representation of you. I am the drink and you are the straw that stirs me. It was ebony every day for eleven years. It was the best years of my life, I didn’t think of anything else. Your face has changed but nothing can change the rich black soil you sat on and your success on purpose and memories. You were so much greater than what you appeared to be from the outside. It’s such that I can’t offer enough accolades to fill your character. You were just that spectacular on a daily basis and did it unconsciously with pride and dignity. Your arms opened wide to embrace the needing of knowledge and formed personality. For sure an institution that was clicking on all cylinders like a magnificent well-oiled machine. Inside was my home away from home, my disciplinarian, my learner, my view and anchor. You will never be forgotten and I couldn’t have asked for a better place to be educated. I wouldn’t take anything for it and it is sad to me to realize that the kids now will have no idea at all about the all black experience. I am thankful for the connection and I feel privileged. The thought of you is as fresh as ever. I can close my eyes and be with you like we were. Your spot and your spirit will never leave.

To my classmates I feel sorry that we got caught up in the integration change. We had the privilege to attend W. A. Pattillo High School for eleven years of our lives. First to become as I feel like you are my brothers and sisters. There is a love between us that I am so proud to be a part of. It is sad that the contributions we rendered to this great institution is going unrecognized. We as a class have no proof of being a Trojan. As far as academics there were standouts in this class and I haven’t seen a class with the number of great athletes who performed at a high level. We were very instrumental in the success of the last and final football championship in 1969. As sophomores we won the championship in basketball by winning 26 games in a row, unheard of. We are just as much a part of this school’s history as any other class. We have no year book and we are left dangling between our home and the 9 months we spent at the integrated high school. We even represented where we were from up there too. We were imbedded in this school for the love of it and what it stood for not to forget. Sure we had to deal with situations and circumstances that we had no control over but we never meant to go off the radar. There is not one picture of anyone from our class in the W. A. Pattillo High School books of representation and memory today. Could it be that we are really unknown? Like we never existed or even went to W.A. Pattillo High? I must admit that records are lost but can anyone relate to how we have to deal with this? We can’t help from feeling left out because we are. No one knows how that feels but us and it’s really unbelievable. It is one thing to be left out away from home but to be over looked by your own is a mind bender. Who can we turn to getting acceptance back into the school we love so dearly? Will we have any hall of famers? Let’s stay together and believe that something may come along in our favor one day. Keep in touch and keep the love we have for each other alive.

Mary Brand had it not been for your observation of me I may have never came to terms with my inside turmoil enough to actually stand up and let it all out. But now I await you to let yours out. Thanks.

I cannot omit a group of my favorite comrades. Each and every one that was a block boy with me time hasn’t erased the memories of such a significant lesson learned. I learned that a man is a man regardless of his stature in life. If I look down on him then I don’t belong. I gained a respect for my brothers and the raw attitudes and stiff opinions. Some of the most intelligent people in the world are considered down trodden. There are some significant people in this world that came off the block, this block. We never labeled ourselves negatively or judge mental. I am just as proud about this learning experience too. I have to be because it is a critical part of who I am. I learned not to stand on people when they are down but pass the love and understanding cup. To take a person as they are and who they are without passing your ego. We all concluded that I don’t think I am better than anyone and I damn show don’t think anyone is better than me. I will remember that for life as our connection. The green house was an extension of my brotherhood experiences. Even though I was older I had a tailored made place among these brothers too. A totally different day but was similar in so many ways.

To my nephew George who has baffled me with his high silver level academic achievements and your athletic prowess that carried you to Argentina to play basketball. It’s good to know that your life even after basketball should still be on a high level. I hope you continue to grow in all aspects and don’t allow the things that come after you designed to stop you succeed. In the event that you stumble or fall, get back up dust yourself off and keep it moving. Congratulations!

I would like to extend a special thanks to my cousins Michael Johnson and son James Michael Johnson Jr. for taking the time to be a part of the family reunion. Showing us some love and actually came to let us see who you are in person and not just on T.V. like a cousin this close should do. Jr, go ahead and get ready for another season in the National Football League with the Kansas City Chiefs. We will be checking out number 52 every chance we get again this year. Keep up the good work and once again thanks for coming. We’ll be watching!

Taro Knight I have to give you a shout out for your determination to show your intelligence of how to move forward in an arena where few people on our side of town just don’t go. Keep up the good work brother.

Strive, D.C. another place I found solace by the guidance and leadership of Ms. Hart wright, Ms. L. Littlejohn, Mr. C. Bradshaw and Mr. B. Browder. Your program is special so continue doing the work of changing the lives of people that want to be changed.

All the churches and the community that has been with me since day one, thank you so much. Some of the T.V. ministers and ministries but nothing gave to me like the dosages of OWN’s Super Soul Sundays.

I am standing in the corner facing the wall when I hear the door open. Why is he standing in the corner? Ms. Mary Williams asked my first grade teacher who was Ms. Catherine Williams, He has a dirty mouth. "Oh yeah, I got some box lye soap and some red devil

poison that will clean his mouth out". As nice as these teachers were and looked I felt scared and ashamed. The way they were looking at me was as if I was the bad apple in the bunch. I had to apologize but there was no football for me. I had to stay in from recess. I didn’t do that again and went on to learn my A.B.C.’s forward and backwards. Big ma loved to hear me say them and by her not going to school it made her proud. I received a Perfect Attendance Certificate.

I have learned to tap and loved the sound of my shoes when I start dancing. The way they shined and no matter what I do with them they never let me down. Heel and toe covered. Tonight all the time and patience Ms. W.F. Jones my second grade teacher put into teaching us tapping through days and days of rehearsals, she feels it’s time to put us on the stage. We had to tell our parents about our outfits. After ma made Cathy’s outfit she made mine and we were ready. The class was mixed with us and older students that were already dancers. I was ready after tapping all over the house all the time and now a little nervous. The auditorium is full and we can hear the audience talking. Then its curtains and the tapping start. Between dances I finally could see ma sitting close to the stage. We were putting on a good show and the last dance was a line dance. I was tapping away and all of a sudden my pants fall down and I quickly pulled them up without missing a step! Everyone including ma and Mrs. Jones was laughing. The show was a success.

Mrs. Jones moved us right into ballroom dancing with the teaching of the waltz. It is beautiful and much different from the way we generally danced. Once again when we were ready she picked me to be the king and Jeneise Hopkins to be the queen so everyone formed a circle around us in practice as we waltzed getting ready for our performance coming soon. Big ma had me sharp in a new black suit, white shirt, black bow tie and shiny black shoes. Mrs. Jones’s smile and eyes let me know she liked my attire. In rehearsals it was gratifying to do, but tonight the gymnasium is almost full. The space is wider than the class room and a feeling I can’t explain as we began to waltz in front of what seemed like a hundred people or more. We were all gracefully lost in the up and down movement and timing of the waltz. Since then I have never looked at it as a white dance I see on T.V. I remember the steps today but rarely get to do it maybe because I don’t go around it. Whenever I do see it I stop and watch for a while. Another Perfect Attendance.

The arts followed us right into the third grade with Mrs. B. B. Tanner who taught us a play and we acted it out on the stage about this scary lady returning home and we can tell she has been there. Ann There’s something sticky on the linoleum too, spilled from these pop bottles. My line She did say she’d be back and Ken’s line at the end after he falls down I fall down. Each class had an opportunity to perform and a continuing use of the stage. It was year round. Mrs. Tanner frightened us by showing us the latest in paddles to whip us with even though she never used it on us. We could get whippings up to the ninth grade but they hadn’t really started. We had another play and I was dressed up